A doctor is currently under scrutiny for allegedly leaving an unconscious patient during surgery to engage in a sexual encounter with a nurse.
Dr. Suhail Anjum, a British medical professional, is undergoing a tribunal after reportedly being discovered in a ‘compromising position’ with a nurse at a hospital in Ashton-under-Lyne, Greater Manchester.
The consultant anaesthetist is accused of leaving a male patient under anaesthetic with another healthcare professional, claiming he needed a break.
The tribunal, however, heard that Dr. Anjum supposedly left the operating room to meet Nurse C for sexual activity in a different operating theatre.
Concerns arose when a colleague, known as Nurse NT, allegedly walked in on the two and was taken aback by the situation.
Andrew Molloy, representing the General Medical Council (GMC), stated that Dr. Anjum had been the anaesthetist for five surgeries on September 16, 2023, leaving the room during the third operation.
Molloy described how Nurse NT allegedly witnessed Nurse C with her trousers around her knees and her underwear exposed while Dr. Anjum appeared to be fastening his trousers.
“Nurse NT was shocked and quickly walked through the theatre to the exit doors,” Molloy stated. “Dr. Anjum returned to theatre five and was absent for approximately eight minutes.”
Nurse NT subsequently reported the incident to her supervisor. Prior to the tribunal, Dr. Anjum, who is married and a father, acknowledged the facts and admitted to engaging in sexual activity with Nurse C.
He acknowledged knowing Nurse C was nearby when he left the operating room and admitted that his actions could have jeopardized his patient. However, the GMC representative noted that the patient experienced no harm due to the doctor’s absence and that the procedure concluded without further issues.
At the Medical Practitioners Tribunal Service (MPTS), Dr. Anjum confirmed that he departed Tameside Hospital in February the previous year and moved to Pakistan.
Dr. Anjum expressed his intention to return to the UK to resume his career, assuring that he would not repeat what he termed a ‘one-off error of judgement’.
In his statement, he remarked, “It was quite shameful, to say the least. I only have myself to blame. I let down everybody, not just my patient and myself, but the trust and how it would look. I let down my colleagues who gave me a lot of respect.”
He admitted it was ‘unfair’ to have asked another anaesthetic nurse to cover and for putting Nurse NT in an ‘awkward position,’ expressing his deepest regret towards his patient.
“If my doctor had gone away without telling me… this breaks me to pieces every day when I think about it,” he continued.
“I have always set very high standards for myself because the job is my passion. I don’t know how and why it happened, but I wish I could reverse it. I offer my sincere apologies to everyone involved, and I want the opportunity to put this right.”
He mentioned the incident took place during a ‘stressful time’ following the premature birth of his daughter in January 2023.
“My wife had a very traumatic delivery, it was quite a stressful experience. We failed to connect as a couple during that time,” he said. “It took a toll on my personal life, my mental health and wellbeing, and my work at the hospital.”
The panel has yet to deliver its decision regarding Dr. Anjum’s alleged misconduct and its impact on his ability to practice professionally.