Health officials have welcomed a decision to strike off a gynaecologist who carried out unnecessary hysterectomies on women without their consent.

Michael Pembrey, 56, performed needless procedures, including a botched sterilisation, on seven patients while working at the Conquest Hospital in Hastings between 1989 and 1999, the General Medical Council's professional conduct committee heard.

Following the GMC's finding yesterday that he was guilty of serious professional misconduct, East Sussex Hospitals NHS Trusts said it vindicated its decision to dismiss him.

A spokesman said: "Since Mr Pembrey's suspension in 1999, the trust has been acutely conscious of the desire of all those involved, including patients, their families and staff alike, to see this matter brought to a conclusion.

"The trust has always had the greatest sympathy for those involved and hopes this decision will go some way to drawing this matter to a close."

Dr Andrew Ferguson, chair of the GMC's professional standards committee, told Mr Pembrey they had "serious concern" at his "continued lack of insight" into his actions.

The hearing was told how in 1999 Mr Pembrey sterilised two women, one 18-year-old with severe learning difficulties and a 21-year-old with Down's syndrome, without proper consent or authority.

He also ruined a 27-year-old woman's chances of a family after ordering an unnecessary hysterectomy when she was admitted to him with a history of recurrent pelvic inflammatory disease in 1989.

On a 45-year-old mother-of-three, he carried out an unjustified hysterectomy without her consent, despite her insistence she did not want one.

The doctor was also found to have incompetently inserted a coil into a woman's uterus, losing it inside the womb and causing her to need a hysterectomy.

Mr Pembrey claimed the allegations were the result of a witch-hunt by the Hastings and Rother NHS Trust and prompted by a falling out with colleagues.

He will be struck off immediately but has 28 days to appeal.

Alex Leslie, his solicitor, said after the judgement: "Michael Pembrey is deeply disappointed by the GMC's decision. The welfare of his patients has always been his first concern.

"The hearing has been extremely gruelling and he wishes to take time and advice before deciding whether to lodge an appeal."