Mr Le Main's post attracted numerous comments from islanders, describing it as "great news".

However, Mr Bown has now issued a statement describing Mr Le Main's social media post as "incorrect".

Dr Richardson was suspended in January 2022 – days after the States Assembly debate over the future of Samarès Ward. The reason for his suspension was not made public.

However, in April 2023 – following a request from the Medical Director for Health and Community Services, Patrick Armstrong – the Royal College of Physicians recommended an audit of rheumatology patient records after questions were raised about clinical record keeping, case management and communication within the department.

Pictured: Former Senator Terry Le Main posted on Facebook yesterday claiming that Dr Michael Richardson had been "reinstated with immediate effect".

Following the results of the review – which claimed that more than 170 rheumatology patients were wrongly given powerful drugs – it was confirmed that the two doctors at the centre of the review were "no longer undertaking clinical work".

At the time, Government officials declined to confirm whether the doctors were still officially employed or not.

Today, Mr Bown explained: "Whilst Dr Richardson continues to be an employee, his clinical practice remains restricted as a result of a recent General Medical Council (GMC) hearing, which is a matter of public record.

"This means he is not engaged in any clinical work."

Pictured: Chris Bown, Interim Chief Officer for Health and Community Services.

The GMC is the regulator for doctors in the UK. Dr Richardson's most recent hearing took place on 20 September 2023 in front of the Interim Orders Tribunal.

The GMC and the Interim Orders Tribunal are both independent of Jersey. 

The ruling by the Interim Orders Tribunal was to determine any potential restrictions of Dr Richardson's medical practice whilst investigations continue based on potential risks.

This required evidence to be presented to the Tribunal outlining concerns, and evidence to determine whether restrictions are put in place.

The Tribunal considered the evidence from the Royal College of Physicians, from Health and Community Services and Dr Richardson, who was represented by a barrister.

Mr Bown explained: "The summary conditions imposed by the Interim Orders Tribunal of the General Medical Council for Dr Richardson can be found on the GMC website.

"In the interest of helping islanders understand what this means, some of these conditions are outlined below:

• He must get the approval of the GMC before starting work in a non-NHS post or setting

• He must only work in a service that does not include rheumatology

• He must only prescribe, administer, and have primary responsibility for drugs under

  arrangements that have been agreed by his responsible officer (or their nominated deputy)

• He must be supervised in all of his posts by a clinical supervisor, who must be appointed by

  his responsible officer (or their nominated deputy). He must provide a report from his clinical supervisor in advance of, or at, his next review hearing. He must not work until:

- his responsible officer (or their nominated deputy) has appointed his clinical supervisor and approved his supervision arrangements

- he has personally ensured that the GMC has been notified of these arrangements Patients are encouraged to attend any appointments that have been made.

The Health Department also confirmed that they are currently waiting to receive the Royal College of Physicians report, following its review of the rheumatology department in Jersey.

The report was expected at the end of September and has been chased by officers. Once received it will be checked for accuracy before publishing.

Patients requiring further information about this matter were advised to contact the Patient Advisory and Liaison Service by email (pals@health.gov.je) or by telephone on 01534 443515.