A doctor who photographed and sexually assaulted female patients is facing a fitness to practice tribunal, reports WalesOnline. Dr Suheil Ahmed, 28, took more than 100 covert photos of unsuspecting women in their 20s whilst working at Torbay Hospital in Devon.
Ahmed, who is originally from Cardiff in Wales, was described as a “risk to patients” by the General Medical Council (GMC) yesterday. Neil Usher from the GMC told the tribunal that Dr Ahmed’s crimes constituted a “gross breach of trust” and that he remained a “danger to the public”.
The doctor would undertake intimate examinations that has no medical purpose. He also told patients that he was using his phone to either monitor their breathing or heart rate. In reality he was using it to take photographs of them.
He even installed a covert camera in a student house so that he could watch tenants using the toilet.
Dr Ahmed, was a trainee surgeon at the Torbay Hospital, before he was convicted of 11 counts of voyeurism and two counts of sexual assault by touching. He pleaded guilty to the charges at Exeter Crown Court and was jailed for 30 months.
Under the UK system doctors fitness to practise is determined by Medical Practitioners Tribunal Service. A panel is convened once the General Medical Council brings a case. Whilst it is theoretically possible for doctors to continue to practise after being sent to prison for sex offences in practise there are no recent examples of medics being allowed to continue.
The panel chairman, Jetinder Shergill, agreed with the GMC stating that Ahmed’s activities meant that there was an “on-going risk to patients” posed by him. He added: “Dr Ahmed’s behaviour caused direct harm and distress to his patients.
“Such conduct falls below that which is expected of a medical practitioner. His deplorable conduct has brought the profession into disrepute.
“The panel considers that there remains a high risk of repetition and future harm to patients from Dr Ahmed’s lack of insight.
“The panel is of the view that Dr Ahmed’s conviction, including the conduct which led to it, is a serious breach of the provisions of Good Medical Practice.
“In all the circumstances, therefore, the panel has determined that Dr Ahmed’s fitness to practise is impaired by reason of his conviction.”
The hearing continues.
COMMENTS
Please let us know if you're having issues with commenting.