Peeyush Sharma is the second consultant surgeon in less than a month to be suspended from Stracathro Hospital in Brechin.

The Angus Trust which runs the hospital has asked all GPs and the Scottish Ambulance Service to transfer all emergency surgical patients to Dundee hospitals.

Non-emergency cases from Dundee hospitals will be transferred to Stracathro to ease the workload in Dundee.

The Trust said the decision to suspend Mr Sharma, aged 41, came after senior medical and surgical colleagues expressed concerns about his clinical competence.

Independent audit

The Trust and Tayside Health Board also have concerns about the management of a recent emergency case at Stracathro hospital. The case has been referred to the Procurator Fiscal's office in Dundee for investigation.

The Trust said a preliminary investigation had shown the need for a fuller inquiry. An internal audit of Mr Sharma's emergency surgical and general caseload has begun.

The Trust says an independent audit into 400 of Mr Sharma's cases will begin soon. A 24-hour helpline has been set up for patients.

Mr Sharma treated patients from the Tayside and Grampian regions and also worked in private practice. The organisation he worked for has been told of his suspension.

Ron Fletcher, chief executive of the Angus Trust, said: "We believe it is in the best interests of patients to stop all emergency surgical admissions to Stracathro with immediate effect."

Mr Sharma's suspension follows that of Douglas Irving, a breast and bowel cancer surgeon, three weeks ago. An investigation has been started into his clinical practice over the last five years.

Twenty-nine of Mr Irving's breast cancer patients have been invited to attend special clinics following a preliminary investigation.

Safety

Scottish health minister Sam Galbraith said: "I am extremely concerned to hear of the suspension of a second consultant surgeon at Stracathro Hospital.

Sam Galbraith: the safety and well-being of patients is the top priority

"But the safety and well-being of patients is our top priority within the NHS, and I commend the prompt action taken by the Trust."

He called for the investigation by the Angus Trust and the Tayside Health Board to be concluded as quickly as possible.

He added that he was determined to ensure high standards in the NHS.

Andrew Welsh: 'the public needs reassurance'

Andrew Welsh, the SNP MP for Angus, said he was worried about the future of the hospital because of the two suspensions.

"We must ensure we find out exactly what happened and that we learn the lessons. The public must be able to have confidence in the NHS," he said.

He called for the Scottish Office to order "an objective investigation" into the management of the hospital.

Surgeons' performance has come under the spotlight in recent months due to publicity over the death of 29 babies in Bristol, following heart operations.