Dr Andrew Holton worked as a paediatric neurologist at Leicester Royal Infirmary between 1990 and 2001 but the report showed he was not trained in this field.

Out of nearly 2,000 cases undertaken by Dr Holton, more than 618 of his diagnoses of epilepsy were wrong, a review by the University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust showed.

But the report also showed that such a high rate of misdiagnosis might not be unusual for a consultant paediatrician in this field.

Unreserved apology

Dr Holton, who was believed to be experienced in dealing with epilepsy in children, was suspended in May 2001 to allow a full investigation into his clinical practice.

Peter Reading, chief executive of the University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust, said: "The trust has undertaken an extensive review of this clinician's work since 1990.

Dr Holton was suspended in May 2001

"This has, of necessity, been a lengthy process and we offer our unreserved apology to patients, carers and children for any distress and anxiety while waiting for their case to be investigated or for any distress that a subsequent change in diagnosis may have caused."

Dr Allan Cole, medical director of the trust, said: "The review has shown that of the 1,948 cases reviewed, 618 (31.8%) have had their diagnosis of epilepsy either changed or re-categorised.

"There is, however, some evidence to show that the misdiagnosis rate of 31.8% in a consultant paediatrician with an interest in neurology may not be unusual.

'More lively'

"The trust also accepts that during Dr Holton's time at the Leicester Royal Infirmary in the 1990s he received little supervision as a single-handed practitioner to ensure that he did not exceed his expertise."

The trust said it now had three full time trained paediatric neurologists working in the hospital.

The report says the diagnosis of epilepsy is often subjective and a review of any such work by an individual not trained as a paediatric neurologist would find possible errors.

The exact error rate is uncertain as no similar review has been undertaken before.

Dr Holton, who was suspended in May 2001, will not be returning to work at the trust but has requested to retrain in another speciality outside Leicestershire.

A copy of the report has been sent to the General Medical Council, which is investigating the case.

The Department of Health is also set to introduce new guidelines on the treatment of epilepsy.

The Trent Regional Office of the NHS has ordered an independent review of the non-clinical aspects of the case.

A spokeswoman for the National Society for Epilepsy confirmed that a significant proportion of cases were misdiagnosed because doctors do not know what is and what is not epilepsy.

She said: "Epilepsy is a very complex condition to diagnose. But there are other things that can cause people to have seizures."

Six-year-old Annabelle Appleyard, from Market Harborough, was one of Dr Holton's patients and her parents say that since she came off the drugs prescribed by him, her condition has dramatically improved.

Her mother Rosalind said: "We like her better now she is not on medication, she's far more lively and has got more personality.

"I'm not saying it's easier but it is more of the child we like to see."

Many parents say they still want an independent inquiry carried out into the whole affair.