Doctors suspended after exam error

The four started work at hospitals in South Wales two weeks ago after finishing their studies.

But according to the BBC, Cardiff University found they were given the wrong exam result for one module of their degree which resulted in them being immediately suspended from their posts.

The students were working as junior doctors at Llandough Hospital in Cardiff, Swansea's Singleton and Morriston hospitals, Prince Philip Hospital in Llanelli and Withybush General Hospital at Haverfordwest, the broadcaster said.

Hywel Dda NHS Trust, which runs Llanelli's Prince Philip Hospital and Withybush General Hospitals, said it has decided to review the care of patients seen by the students "as a precautionary measure".

Abertawe Bro Morgannwg (ABM) University NHS Trust, which is responsible for the two Swansea hospitals, also told the broadcaster a junior doctor was immediately relieved of their clinical duties once they were told about the exam error.

The trust said in a statement: "The member of staff had been practising for less than 10 days, and this time included induction sessions.

"All foundation programme trainees are heavily supervised and would have formed just one part of the wider clinical team caring for patients. No significant decisions about the medical care of a patient would have been made without the involvement of a more senior doctor.

"We have spoken with the member of staff and offered any support we can, and we are now waiting for further advice from the university."

Cardiff University said it had "identified five final year students in the School of Medicine where a clerical data error has resulted in the wrong exam result being recorded for one module of their degree". Four were told they had passed when they had failed, while the other student was wrongly told they had failed the exam. That person can now proceed with their medical career.