A doctor whose “serious errors” contributed to the deaths of two newborn babies has been judged fit to look after expectant mothers and their youngsters in Sussex.

Dr Ashok Mohanty, who currently works in the obstetrics and gynaecology department at Conquest Hospital in St Leonards, appeared before the General Medical Council (GMC) following the death of two babies in his care while he was working in London.

The cases involved two infants who died shortly after birth. Another two children and two mothers, also in his care, were left seriously ill.

A hearing in 2010 was told that while Dr Mohanty was “kind and caring” he was “unable to take crucial decisions when the labour went wrong”.

Following this hearing the GMC determined that his fitness to practise was impaired by his “deficient professional performance” and “misconduct”.

He was allowed to work as a doctor but with conditions attached including having to having a supervisor.

But now, following a GMC review hearing, Dr Mohanty has been told he is allowed to work without supervision at the Conquest.

This is despite the October 2010 hearing finding the care he gave to the patients in 2006 and 2007 was “deficient”.

The review panel said the doctor had worked to improve his performance and that his colleagues in Sussex felt he was capable.

It said: “The panel has been provided with reports from your educational supervisor and Workplace Reporter, a consultant obstetrician and gynaecologist at Conquest Hospital.

“These reports are positive about the progress you have made and they describe you as a good team worker.

“The panel finds that your fitness to practise is no longer impaired. It is satisfied that you do not present a risk to patient safety.”

A hospital spokesman said: “Dr Ashok Mohanty is employed by the trust.

“He declared he had conditions and undertakings at the time he made application and has been working under a consultant work-place supervisor, as agreed with the GMC, who has been providing regular updates to the GMC.”