An eminent eye specialist has been suspended from working with NHS patients without warning.

Dr Mohammed Idrees, who worked at Southend Hospital for 25 years, including as a locum consultant, has been ordered to stop treating his 200 NHS patients over health and safety concerns about his premises in Westcliff.

Dr Idrees who runs an eye clinic in Imperial Avenue, treating both private and NHS patients, says he was aware of some concerns about his premises, including a lack of disabled access to toilets, but says he was working with Rochford and Castle Point Clinical Commissioning Group to move to a new clinic in Leigh.

Despite this he was shut down by Ian Stidston from the CCG without warning and told to transfer all his patients to the BMI Hospital in Fairfax Drive, Westcliff.

Dr Idrees, who helped pioneer the use of a special lens during cataract surgery, has run a private practice in Southend since 1985.

He said: “I had been in discussions with the CCG. They suggested I moved to the Chartewell Hospital in Leigh. They knew I was in that process but on October 4 at 4.42pm I received an email telling me to stop seeing NHS patients. I didn’t see it then as I was with patients but the next day my practice manager told me about the email telling me to stop seeing patients immediately. There was no warning.

“I had a full clinic and couldn’t just turn people away so I carried on seeing them. I had a community day clinic in Wakering which I refused to cancel. I had patients with walking frames. How could I turn them away?”

Dr Idrees, from Leigh, says he may take legal action against the CCG.

He said: “They are supposed to give me notice to make any necessary changes.

“I know there was a problem over wheelchair access and felt it was easier to just move to newer premises. I was doing that.

“Some of my elderly patients have been in tears. Some have stayed as private patients which I don’t like because they have paid their National Insurance and tax contributions.

“I’m considering legal action now. They have raised suspicion about my integrity and clinical judgement.”

Norman Traub from the Southend Keep Our NHS Public campaign, said: “Ian Stidston’s notice of suspension directed him to transfer his patients to the BMI, one of Southend’s private hospitals, thereby compromising his professional judgement as to where to refer his patients.

“NHS patients who have benefited from the skill and experience of a highly qualified ophthalmic surgeon, have now been deprived of his services by Mr Stidston’s arbitrary action.”