​​​​​​​Tameside Hospital doctor admits having sex with nurse in operating theatre

A consultant anaesthetist who left a patient mid-surgery to have sex with a nurse in a neighbouring operating theatre has admitted his behaviour was a “shameful” lapse in judgement.

Dr Suhail Anjum, 44, was working at Tameside Hospital, Ashton-under-Lyne, on 16 September 2023 when he was caught in a “compromising position” with a colleague, referred to in proceedings only as Nurse C.

The Medical Practitioners Tribunal Service (MPTS) heard how Dr Anjum, a married father-of-three, was overseeing five operations in theatre five that day. During the third case, he asked another nurse to monitor the patient under anaesthetic while he took a “comfort break”.

Instead, he went to theatre eight, where another staff member, known as Nurse NT, unexpectedly walked in and found him with Nurse C.

Andrew Molloy, representing the General Medical Council (GMC), told the panel: “She described seeing Nurse C with her trousers around her knee area with her underwear on display and Dr Anjum was in the process of tying up the cord of his trousers. Nurse NT was shocked and quickly walked through the theatre to the exit doors.”

Dr Anjum returned to his patient after around eight minutes, and the surgery continued without incident. The tribunal was told that the patient did not come to harm as a result of his absence. However, the incident was reported by Nurse NT to her manager, prompting an internal investigation and subsequent GMC proceedings.

Before the hearing, Dr Anjum admitted the facts of the case and accepted that he had engaged in sexual activity while on duty. He conceded that his actions were reckless and had the potential to put patients at risk.

Giving evidence, Dr Anjum said: “It was quite shameful, to say the least. I only have myself to blame. I let down everybody, not just my patient and myself but the trust and how it would look. I let down my colleagues who gave me a lot of respect.”

He said the knowledge that he had left a patient unattended continued to haunt him.

“Most importantly the patient. If my doctor had gone away without telling me… this breaks me to pieces every day when I think about it.”

He also admitted it was “unfair” to ask another anaesthetic nurse to cover for him and acknowledged that walking in on the encounter had placed Nurse NT in an “awkward position”.

The consultant, who qualified in medicine in Pakistan before moving to the UK to further his career, told the tribunal that the incident took place during what he described as one of the most stressful periods of his life.

In January 2023, his wife gave birth prematurely to their youngest child, who had a very low birth weight. Dr Anjum said the traumatic delivery and the baby’s fragile health put a huge strain on the family and his own mental wellbeing.

He told the panel: “Our daughter was born premature, with a very, very low birth weight. My wife had a very traumatic delivery; it was quite a stressful experience. We failed to connect as a couple during that time. It took a toll on my personal life, my mental health and wellbeing, and my work at the hospital.”

He insisted the encounter with Nurse C was a “one-off” and would never be repeated.

“I offer my sincere apologies to everyone involved and I want the opportunity to put this right. I promise there will never be a repeat.”

Dr Anjum left his post at Tameside Hospital in February 2024 and has since returned to Pakistan. Despite the scandal, he told the tribunal he hopes to resume his medical career in the UK, describing medicine as his “passion”.

“I have always set very high standards for myself because the job is my passion. I don’t know how and why it happened, but I wish I could reverse it.”

The MPTS is now considering whether he is fit to practise medicine in the UK. Possible sanctions range from a formal warning to suspension or being struck off the medical register altogether.

Though no harm came to the patient during the eight minutes Dr Anjum was absent, the tribunal stressed that the case highlighted serious concerns around patient safety and professional boundaries.

Mr Molloy for the GMC said the doctor’s actions amounted to misconduct and undermined trust in the profession.