A DOCTOR who sparked controversy by vaccinating children in Worcester against measles, mumps and rubella with single injections is free to continue giving the controversial jabs.

The General Medical Council is not proceeding to a full conduct committee against Dr Peter Mansfield, but has "concluded" his case with a letter of advice.

His case was drawn to the attention of the GMC after Worcestershire Health Authority received complaints he had given the jabs to hundreds of children at private clinics in Worcester and Lincolnshire.

In September, he was due to appear before the GMC but the hearing was cancelled after it announced there was "insufficient evidence to proceed".

Deborah Ryding, from Ledbury, co-founder of Desumo, the company which runs the single jab clinics in Worcester, said today it was not "a case where we'll say 'yes we won'.

"It shows that in everything we're doing, we aren't putting any children at risk," she said.

"What it does do is help all these parents who were really panicking."

In a statement, the GMC said: "The committee advised the doctor he should continue to give advice to patients about the full range of options for inoculations available in the light of the latest evidence and the continuing debate.

"It also advised he should explore ways of actively informing GPs he has inoculated their patients, as opposed to relying on the fact the inoculation record was parent-held and would generally be available to the GP during a consultation."

Dr Mansfield had been facing allegations of acting contrary to normal medical practice and against the best interests of patients by giving the jabs.

He said he was gratified at the decision and insisted he would continue vaccinating children with single injections.

His comments come amid some research which claims MMR could be linked to an increase in autism and bowel disorders.

"I'm very pleased," said Dr Mansfield.

"I'm also somewhat gratified the advice isn't arduous or arbitrary. I'm already doing all the things they're asking me."

Worcestershire's director of public health, Professor Brian McCloskey, said the authority welcomed the "clarification from GMC".

"We're pleased to note the committee isn't endorsing the practice of giving single vaccines against the Chief Medical Officer's guidance.

"We're also pleased Dr Mansfield has been advised that he should develop better ways of communicating with GPs."