MANCHESTER SURGEON SUSPENDED FOR SEXUAL HARASSMENT ALLOWED TO RETURN TO WORK
A prominent surgeon who was temporarily suspended due to allegations of sexual harassment at a hospital in Manchester has been cleared to resume work following a tribunal decision.Dr Shah was found to have committed serious misconduct after investigations revealed he had 'squeezed' a female nurse’s bottom and 'brushed his body against her breasts' during two separate incidents described as 'deplorable' forms of sexual harassment.
The 61-year-old also referred to female colleagues as 'birds' when he could not remember their names and asked staff to complete portions of his training.
After a hearing held by the Medical Practitioners Tribunal Service in August 2024, Dr Shah, who is considered a 'leading expert in thoracic surgery in Manchester,' was suspended for a period of 12 months.
The General Medical Council appealed this decision but was unsuccessful in its attempt to have him removed from medical practice.
Between 2005 and 2021, allegations were made against Dr Shah concerning inappropriate behaviour towards two female colleagues, which included acts of sexual harassment.
The tribunal, however, concluded that some of these claims could not be substantiated.
Specifically, incidents in 2014 and 2019 involved inappropriate physical contact with a colleague known as Colleague B.
Dr Shah acknowledged that he is 'tactile by nature' and may have engaged in 'social touching,' but denied any misconduct.
He has completed remediation courses, shown 'insight' into his behavior, and the tribunal determined that there is no risk of recurrence.
The panel approved his return to clinical practice, citing that he has 'remediated his conduct,' demonstrated 'genuine insight,' and is 'safe to practice without restrictions,' having restored public trust and maintained his professional competence.
