London: A medical tribunal in the UK suspended an Indian-origin neurosurgeon for eight months by a UK medical on charges of having a sexual relationship with one of his patients and prescribing medication while allegedly being “blackmailed” by her.
The neurosurgeon, identified as Dr Chirag Patel, completed his qualifications at the Government Medical College of the Maharaja Sayajirao University of Baroda, and was employed by a National Health Service (NHS) hospital in Cardiff, Wales, as reported by PTI.
He is “deeply regretful” of his misconduct relating to Patient A, whom he had medically treated between 2019 and 2021, the doctor told the UK’s General Medical Council (GMC).
“In light of all the circumstances of this particular case, the tribunal concluded that a period of eight months’ suspension is the appropriate and proportionate sanction,” a Medical Practitioners Tribunal Service (MPTS) report, released recently following a hearing last month, stated.
“In the tribunal’s judgment, that period is sufficient to mark the seriousness of the misconduct, to send a clear signal to Dr Patel, the profession and the public that such conduct is unacceptable.
“Furthermore, the tribunal determined that this period is a proportionate response to protect the public, maintain public confidence, and uphold proper professional standards and conduct, while also reflecting the genuine remorse, extensive insight and substantial remediation currently demonstrated by Dr Patel,” it stated.
The findings reveal that Dr Patel first performed a discectomy surgery on Patient A in February 2019, followed by a second operation in August 2019 and a third one to insert a spinal cord stimulator in December 2021.
The surgeon engaged in a sexual relationship with Patient A while under his care and “who at the time was a vulnerable patient”, the allegation that led to the MTPS hearing noted. It was further alleged that between May 2022 and January 2023, the doctor prescribed “controlled medication” to Patient A and failed to make note of it in the medical records.
The relationship was said to have deteriorated by February 2023, with Patient A making accusations against Dr Patel to the police. While her allegations were not pursued by the police, they notified the medical director of the Cardiff and Vale University Health Board of the accusations. The doctor went on to refer himself to the GMC on February 28, 2023, after the health board commenced a disciplinary investigation.
“I am also deeply remorseful for prescribing medication for Patient A while in a personal relationship with her. It is no excuse that I did this under the threat of blackmail and exposure,” the surgeon’s written statement to the tribunal said.
“Erasure”, or being struck off from the UK medical register, would be “punitive and disproportionate” because of Dr Patel’s “genuine remorse”, the tribunal noted.
