A UK-based doctor who abandoned a patient under general anaesthesia during surgery to engage in sexual activity with a nurse will not face disciplinary sanctions, a medical tribunal has ruled.
Dr. Suhail Anjum, a 44-year-old consultant anaesthetist and father of three, was caught in a compromising position with a nursenurse, identified only as Nurse C, at Tameside Hospital in Greater Manchester.
The incident took place on September 16, 2023, in a disused operating theatre also used as a storage room.
According to a report by The Independent, Dr. Anjum had told colleagues he was taking a short bathroom break during surgery.
Instead, he left the patient under anaesthesia and went to the other theatre to engage in sexual activity.
The misconduct was reported by a shocked colleague who discovered them.
Following an internal investigation, Dr. Anjum was dismissed in February 2024.
Last week, Dr. Anjum appeared before the Medical Practitioners Tribunal Service (MPTS), where he expressed his desire to return to medical practice in the UK.
He had since relocated with his family to Pakistan, where he continued working as a doctor.
On Monday, the tribunal concluded that while his actions amounted to serious misconduct, they did not pose an ongoing risk to patients.
“Dr Anjum put his own interests before those of the patient and his colleagues,” said Tribunal Chairwoman Rebecca Miller.
“While the incident had the potential to distract him from giving full attention to the patient’s care, no actual harm was caused.”
Miller acknowledged that the public would likely view the incident with serious concern but emphasized that the scrutiny Dr. Anjum had already faced, combined with the public declaration of serious misconduct, was sufficient to maintain public confidence in the profession.
The tribunal ruled that Dr. Anjum’s fitness to practise is not impaired, citing a “very low” risk of repeat behaviour.
As a result, no sanctions were imposed. The hearing is scheduled to resume on Tuesday in Manchester to consider whether a formal warning should be added to his registration.
The case has stirred public debate in the UK medical community and online platforms, raising questions about professionalism, accountability, and patient safety within the healthcare system.
Although no harm was reported to the patient, critics argue that leaving a sedated patient mid-surgery for personal reasons, especially for a sexual encounter, should carry stricter consequences to deter future misconduct.
