Doctor admits to ‘shameful’ misconduct during operation at Greater Manchester hospital

 

A medical tribunal in the United Kingdom has heard shocking details of how Dr Suhail Anjum, a consultant anaesthetist at Tameside Hospital in Greater Manchester, abandoned a patient under anaesthetic to engage in sexual activity with a nurse.

 

According to the tribunal’s findings, Dr Anjum requested a brief “comfort break” midway through a surgical procedure, leaving a colleague to monitor the patient. Instead of returning promptly, he allegedly met with a nurse, identified only as Nurse C,in a nearby theatre. The pair were discovered in a compromising situation by another staff member, who reported the incident.

 

Counsel for the General Medical Council (GMC), Andrew Molloy, told the hearing that the patient remained stable throughout Dr Anjum’s absence and the operation was completed without any complications.

 

Confronted with the allegations, Dr Anjum admitted to the misconduct and offered an unreserved apology.

 

“It was quite shameful, to say the least. I only have myself to blame. I offer my sincere apologies to everyone affected, and I want the chance to put this right,” he said.

 

He explained that the lapse in judgment occurred during what he described as a particularly “stressful period” in his personal life.

 

The GMC tribunal will determine appropriate sanctions, but the case has already sparked debate in the UK medical community over professional ethics and the safeguarding of patients during surgical procedures.