DOCTOR ALLOWED TO WORK AGAIN DESPITE BEING ON THE SEX OFFENDERS’ REGISTER
2019.A doctor who inappropriately touched a student nurse has been allowed to return to work despite remaining on the sex offenders register.
Dr Imran Qureshi, aged 46 and a married man with two children, was previously banned from practicing medicine after being convicted of sexual assault.
The incident involved him touching the nurse’s breast during attempts to develop a 'romantic friendship.' His reinstatement was granted after he claimed that financial difficulties due to reliance on benefits made it hard for him to remain out of work.
At his 2016 court hearing, Dr Qureshi, who served as a locum at Trafford General Hospital, stated that his actions were influenced by 'cultural norms' from his home country, Pakistan, and issued a heartfelt apology.
He was sentenced to a community order lasting one year and was ordered to undertake 20 days of rehabilitation.
His name will stay on the sex offenders register for a further two years.
In 2017, the Medical Practitioners Tribunal Service banned Dr Qureshi from practicing for one year following the incident at Trafford General Hospital in Davyhulme, Greater Manchester.
They said the locum Senior House Officer had “ignored signs” the nurse did not welcome his behaviour, adding: “Given the length of time you’d been in the UK, you should have recognised [her] reluctance in light of your shared cultural understanding.” Dr Qureshi has now re-registered with a locum agency.
After a hearing in November that has only just come to light, the MPTS said: “The offence was a single incident some 3½ years ago.
“There is no evidence to suggest Dr Qureshi offended prior to his conviction, or since.” They said their position was consistent with remarks by the 2016 trial judge that there was “no risk for the future.” In its reasons, the MPTS said: “The Tribunal consider that the imposition of conditions will allow Dr Qureshi time to further develop his insight into his criminal offence and conviction.
“It considered that conditions would permit Dr Qureshi to return to clinical practice and to further remediate while, at the same time, protect patients, and maintain public confidence in the profession.
“In the circumstances as they stand today, the Tribunal did not consider that it would be appropriate or proportionate to impose a further period of suspension on Dr Qureshi’s registration.”
