The General Medical Council has said Mr Janardan Dhasmana, one of the surgeons at the centre of the Bristol heart baby scandal, can operate on children once again.

Michaela Willis, whose son Daniel died at Bristol Royal Infirmary in 1993 aged one week was distraught at the news.

Speaking to the BBC, Mrs Willis said: "It feels like the last eight years have been a complete waste. I am absolutely devastated. I just can't believe it."

I am absolutely devastated. I just can't believe it

Michaela Willis

Mrs Willis said the GMC's decision to remove the restrictions on Mr Dhasmana were hurtful.

She expressed concern that the ruling meant the surgeon could operate on children if he wished.

Let down

"He has always been allowed to operate on adults which I have no problem with but the fact that he could operate on children again really, really saddens me because he didn't have the technical competencies eight years ago so I can't see how he can operate on children again now," Mrs Willis said.

"I am not angry with Mr Dasmanar I never have been. I think the system let him and the families down.

"He has taken an undertaking not to operate on children which I think is great but there is now nothing to enforce it."

She said the decision will undermine patient confidence.

"They have now obviously given him a free rein to be able to go back and operate on children should he wish which certainly undermines public confidence.

"If anyone looks at the GMC hearing and the Bristol Royal Infirmary inquiry, children were put at risk eight years ago.

"If he has done no children's surgery in the past eight years I am sure he cannot be competent to operate on children again."

Asked what she would like to see done now, Mrs Willis said: "I think it's probably a little too late now.

"The hurt has been done. He wasn't asking to be allowed to operate on children so why the GMC had to say we will take away the penalties is beyond me."