A TOP surgeon has escaped a driving ban after asking magistrates: “What if someone dies?”

Chest consulant Khalid Amer claimed patients’ lives would be put at risk and it would cost the NHS tens of thousands of pounds if he was forced off the road.

Bournemouth magistrates agreed Amer could keep his licence despite his latest speeding conviction, which means he now has 12 points on his licence.

The 54-year-old was liable for disqualification after receiving three points and reaching the limit of 12 under the “totting up” process.

Amer is based at Southampton General Hospital but has regular clinics in Bournemouth, Poole and Dorchester.

He told the court: “A ban would cause incalculable hardship for me, my patients and for the NHS Trust. The Trust would have to find a replacement who might not have the same surgical repertoire as myself – chest patients would be dealing with someone with limited experience.”

He said he is regularly called out to deal with emergencies, such as stab wounds, and added: “I am really concerned about emergencies. What if someone dies as a result of this?”

Amer, who lives in Hill Lane, Southampton, said a possible ban could “make or break” the recovery of many of his patients and added: “If I can’t go back to the theatre quickly the patient will die.”

The latest offence took place in Bournemouth on December 8 last year when Amer drove at 40mph in a 30mph limit. He admitted the offence.

He has now been warned he will face an immediate ban if he is caught speeding in the future.

“If you are done for speeding again, that’s it” said chairman of the bench John Stringer. “You now join a very exclusive club of those drivers still on the road with 12 points.

“We do find that exceptional hardship would be caused to your patients, therefore you will not be disqualified.”

He was fined £200 and ordered to pay £50 court costs.