Doctors Removed for Bad Behavior Towards Colleagues

Some doctors have been stopped from working because they behaved badly towards younger staff. This included touching and saying bad things. They will not be allowed to be doctors anymore.
By Newsroom | Medical News, Workplace Issues |

A doctor's career has ended after being removed from the medical register due to serious misconduct involving sexual harassment of junior colleagues. The decision follows a series of accusations of inappropriate touching, unwelcome comments, and flirtatious messages directed at female medical staff. This outcome highlights the disciplinary actions taken against medical professionals for behaviors that violate patient and colleague trust.

Events Leading to Disciplinary Action

Several reports detail allegations against doctors for serious misconduct. The core issue centers on actions deemed sexually harassing, which have culminated in professional sanctions.

Doctor who called junior colleague 'bad girl' and squeezed her waist is struck off - 1

  • Allegations of Inappropriate Contact: Doctors have faced accusations of unwanted touching, including squeezing colleagues' waists and groins, and touching breasts. One case involved a doctor allegedly licking beer off a colleague's cleavage.

  • Verbal Harassment: Accusations include calling junior colleagues "bad girl," telling them to "keep sexy dancing" for him, and making sexually suggestive comments in messages and conversations.

  • Misuse of Professional Position: In some instances, the alleged misconduct occurred within a professional setting, involving interactions during work duties or social events related to the workplace.

Details of Specific Cases

Investigations and tribunals have brought to light distinct incidents of alleged misconduct by medical professionals.

Dr. Velmurugan Kuppuswamy's Conduct

Dr. Velmurugan Kuppuswamy faced a misconduct hearing concerning allegations of groping junior colleagues and making inappropriate remarks.

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  • Specific Allegations: He is accused of calling a colleague a "bad girl," telling them to use their chests as ping-pong bats, and squeezing a colleague's groin. He also allegedly pulled his chair close to a colleague, touching shoulders, and placed his hand on her thigh.

  • Victim's Response: Reports indicate that at least one junior colleague tried to pull away and stated that the doctor was hurting her.

  • Outcome: Dr. Kuppuswamy has been struck off the medical register, a decision he can appeal within 28 days. He may apply for restoration to the register in five years.

Dr. Mark Johnson's Actions

Dr. Mark Johnson was accused of pouring beer down a junior colleague's cleavage and then licking it off.

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  • Tribunal Findings: The Medical Practitioners Tribunal Service (MPTS) determined that some of Dr. Johnson's actions constituted sexual harassment.

  • Consequences: He was suspended from practice for 12 months.

  • Further Allegations: The tribunal also heard about sexually explicit messages sent by Dr. Johnson concerning breast size, sex positions, and oral sex.

Dr. Vikram Aarella's Behavior

Dr. Vikram Aarella, who worked in Hull, is reported to have inappropriately touched two junior female colleagues on several occasions.

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  • Timing: The reported incidents occurred in October 2022.

  • Resolution: The MPTS found evidence of his behavior and ruled for his removal from the medical register.

Dr. Hilal's Conduct

Dr. Hilal is accused of touching a junior staff member's breasts during a physical examination, claiming he could not "feel properly" due to her bra.

  • Further Interactions: He allegedly asked questions about her menstrual cycle, sex life, and breast pain. He also reportedly massaged her neck and shoulders, suggesting he knew how to wake her up, despite her requests to stop.

  • Additional Allegations: He is also accused of telling a female colleague she was the "perfect woman" and "looked young" when they were alone in his office.

Expert Analysis and Findings

Disciplinary bodies, such as the Medical Practitioners Tribunal Service (MPTS), have reviewed the evidence in these cases.

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"The Medical Practitioners Tribunal Service (MPTS) found he had been previously suspended for his behaviour and ruled his erasure from the register." - BBC News

The consistent outcome across multiple cases is the removal or suspension of the doctors involved, signifying the gravity with which such misconduct is viewed within the medical profession. The removal from the register means these doctors are no longer authorized to practice medicine.

Conclusion and Implications

The repeated instances of sexual harassment and misconduct by medical professionals underscore significant issues within workplace dynamics and professional conduct.

  • Professional Sanctions: The striking off of doctors like Dr. Kuppuswamy and Dr. Aarella, and the suspension of Dr. Johnson, demonstrate a commitment to upholding professional standards.

  • Impact on Colleagues: The experiences of the junior colleagues involved highlight the distress and harm caused by such behaviors.

  • Need for Vigilance: These cases serve as a reminder of the importance of robust reporting mechanisms and thorough investigations to protect staff and maintain public trust in the medical field.

Sources

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Why were these doctors removed?
They were found to have sexually harassed and behaved badly towards junior colleagues. This broke important rules for doctors.
Q: What kind of bad behavior happened?
It included unwanted touching, making rude comments, and sending inappropriate messages.
Q: What happens now to these doctors?
They have been removed from the list of doctors allowed to work. Some can try to come back later, but others cannot.