MAGDY ESKANDER SHOCKS DARLINGTON WITH SEXUAL MISCONDUCT DURING CHILD PATIENT EXAMINATIONS
In August 2019, a disturbing case involving Magdy Eskander, a former NHS doctor based in Darlington, came to light as he was formally struck off the medical register following a detailed tribunal investigation.The tribunal uncovered that Eskander had engaged in inappropriate and sexually motivated conduct during examinations of young female patients, raising serious concerns about his professional conduct and the safety of vulnerable patients.
Eskander, whose medical career began in Egypt in 1981 before moving to the UK in 1982, had a long-standing association with the NHS.
He joined the Medical Corps of the British Armed Forces in 1990, retiring in 1998, and later returned to NHS service.
His work primarily took place at Durham University Hospital, part of the County Durham and Darlington Foundation Trust, which includes Darlington Memorial Hospital, Bishop Auckland General Hospital, and Durham University Hospital.
Eskander was mainly based at Durham University Hospital until his retirement from NHS duties in 2016.
The tribunal's findings revealed that Eskander had inappropriately examined three young female patients, all under the age of 16, on separate occasions between January 6, 2011, and July 16, 2012.
The victims, identified only as Patient A, B, and C to protect their identities, were subjected to examinations that involved touching and inappropriate conduct, which the tribunal determined were sexually motivated.
Patient A, an 11-year-old girl, attended a consultation with her mother in January 2011 after being referred by her GP due to a knee injury.
During the examination, Eskander referred her for physiotherapy and an MRI scan.
However, the girl later confided to her sister that she felt uncomfortable during the consultation, describing that the doctor “felt her up.” Her mother, concerned about the nature of the examination, conducted her own research and subsequently contacted Eskander’s practice, requesting an explanation.
Eskander responded via letter, denying that he had examined her breasts and claiming that he was only examining her lymph nodes, which he believed was appropriate.
Despite this, the police, after initial inquiries, decided not to pursue further action, as they believed the examination was within medical norms.
The tribunal, however, found that Eskander had conducted the examination while covering her with sheets, failed to explain what the examination entailed, and had touched her breast area, inserted his hands inside her underwear, and touched her genitals, with these actions being deemed sexually motivated.
Patient B, a 14-year-old girl, was referred to Eskander in April 2011 due to back pain.
Over a series of six consultations, Eskander examined her for complaints related to her back and knee.
The girl later disclosed to her school nurse in 2014 that Eskander had touched her inappropriately, which prompted police involvement.
She was interviewed in October 2014, at which point she expressed that “alarm bells were ringing” and that Eskander’s actions, including touching her “sexual parts,” should not have happened.
The tribunal found that in June 2011, Eskander had touched her left breast and placed his hands inside her waistband.
Later, in December 2011, during another examination, he covered her with a sheet, touched her breast, and inserted his hand into her underwear to touch her genitals.
These latter actions were confirmed to be sexually motivated.
Patient C, also 11 years old, was referred in October 2011 due to back issues.
She attended two consultations, with her mother present at both.
During the first consultation, a chaperone was present, but not at the second.
The girl reported to the tribunal that she had told her mother she was “touched down there” after the first appointment.
Both examinations involved Eskander covering her with a sheet and conducting internal examinations, during which he touched her genitals and breast area.
Eskander denied performing any examination under a sheet, but the tribunal found that he had indeed covered her with a sheet and touched her genitals and breasts, with these actions being sexually motivated.
The tribunal concluded that Eskander’s misconduct was serious and involved three vulnerable patients, justifying the immediate suspension of his medical registration.
The decision was made to protect the public and uphold the integrity of the medical profession.
Eskander was given 28 days to appeal the tribunal’s ruling.
Although he was acquitted of criminal charges of sexual assault at Teesside Crown Court in 2017 after two separate trials, the civil tribunal’s findings highlighted a gross breach of trust and professional misconduct.
The tribunal emphasized that these findings do not constitute criminal convictions but nonetheless reflect a serious violation of patient safety and trust, leading to his removal from the medical register.
