Full Breakdown
Doctor's Misconduct During Surgery: A Case of Abandonment for Personal Reasons
9/12/2025, 12:37:23 AM
Incident Overview
In September 2023, Dr. Suhail Anjum, a 44-year-old consultant anaesthetist at Tameside Hospital in Greater Manchester, left a patient under anaesthetic during a surgical procedure to engage in sexual activity with a nurse, referred to as Nurse C, in an adjoining operating theatre. The incident was revealed during a fitness to practise hearing conducted by the General Medical Council (GMC) in Manchester. Dr. Anjum admitted to the misconduct, describing his actions as "shameful" and acknowledging the potential risk posed to the patient.
Details of the Incident
The tribunal heard that Dr. Anjum had asked another anaesthetic nurse, Nurse SK, to monitor the patient while he took a "comfort break." He left the operating theatre during a keyhole surgery to remove the patient's gall bladder, knowing Nurse C was likely nearby. Approximately eight minutes later, another nurse, referred to as Nurse NT, discovered Dr. Anjum and Nurse C in a compromising position. Nurse NT reported the incident to her line manager, and it was confirmed that no harm came to the patient during Dr. Anjum's absence.
Context and Personal Circumstances
Dr. Anjum's actions occurred during a particularly stressful period in his personal life, following the premature birth of his daughter in January 2023. He indicated that the trauma from the birth and the subsequent strain on his marriage contributed to his poor judgment. In his testimony, he expressed deep regret, stating, "I have let down everybody... I don’t know how and why it happened but I wish I could reverse it."
Official Statements & Responses
During the tribunal, Dr. Anjum stated, "It was quite shameful, to say the least. I only have myself to blame." He emphasized that he had never faced complaints prior to this incident and described it as a "one-off error of judgment." He expressed a desire to return to the UK to continue his medical career, assuring the panel that such behavior would not be repeated.
Criticism & Opposition
The GMC's representative, Andrew Molloy, highlighted the seriousness of Dr. Anjum's actions, noting that they not only breached professional conduct but also placed the patient at risk. The tribunal must now determine whether Dr. Anjum's fitness to practice is impaired due to this misconduct.
What's Next
The tribunal proceedings are ongoing, with final submissions expected to be heard soon. The panel will decide on the implications of Dr. Anjum's actions for his medical career and whether he can be allowed to practice in the UK again.
Verbatim Quotes
- “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.” — Dr. Suhail Anjum
- “I don’t know how and why it happened but I wish I could reverse it.” — Dr. Suhail Anjum
- “this breaks me to pieces every day when I think about it.” — Dr. Suhail Anjum
