A consultant anaesthetist who abandoned a patient mid-operation to engage in sexual activity with a nurse may continue practising medicine, a British medical tribunal has ruled.
Dr. Suhail Anjum, a 44-year-old father of three, had in September 2023, abandoned a patient under general anaesthetic at Tameside Hospital, Greater Manchester.
He asked a colleague to monitor the patient, claiming he needed a comfort break, but instead slipped into an adjoining operating theatre where he was discovered in a “compromising position” with a nurse.
The duo were absent for about eight minutes before Dr. Anjum returned to complete the surgery, according to the report received by the Tribunal.
The patient was not harmed.
Sequel to an internal investigation, the hospital dismissed Dr. Anjum in February 2024. The General Medical Council (GMC) subsequently referred the matter to the Medical Practitioners Tribunal Service (MPTS) to assess his fitness to practice.
The tribunal said his conduct amounted to serious professional misconduct, adding that he “puts his own interests before those of the patient and colleagues” and that his behaviour carried a risk of compromising patient safety.
The panel maintained there was a “very low risk” of the incident recurring and stopped short of imposing a ban or suspension. The tribunal is considering issuing a formal warning on his medical record.
Dr. Anjum, who admitted his actions were “a grave lapse of judgment,” expressed deep regret.
He told the panel personal pressures, including family strain after the premature birth of his daughter, had contributed to his state of mind at the time.
