A shocking scandal has rocked the UK medical community as a married consultant anaesthetist was caught having sex with a nurse in an operating theatre while his patient lay under anaesthetic, raising serious concerns about professional misconduct, patient safety, and the abuse of trust inside hospitals.
A medical tribunal has heard disturbing details of how Dr. Suhail Anjum, 44, a consultant anaesthetist, left his patient mid-surgery at Tameside Hospital in Ashton-under-Lyne, Greater Manchester, to engage in sexual activity with a nurse. The tribunal was told that the doctor had asked another colleague to temporarily monitor the male patient so he could take what he described as a “comfort break.” Instead of returning quickly, Dr. Anjum went to another operating theatre where he met with a nurse, referred to as “Nurse C,” and was discovered in a compromising position.
According to Andrew Molloy, representing the General Medical Council (GMC), it was another nurse, “Nurse NT,” who walked into the room and found Dr. Anjum and Nurse C in the act. “Nurse NT was shocked and quickly walked through the theatre to the exit doors. Dr. Anjum was absent from his patient for about eight minutes before returning,” Molloy explained. Although no direct harm came to the patient during his absence and the surgery continued without incident, the GMC argued that the situation had exposed the patient to unnecessary risk and represented a serious breach of trust.
The incident took place on September 16, 2023, and was immediately reported by Nurse NT to her line manager. By February 2024, Dr. Anjum had resigned from Tameside Hospital and relocated back to his native Pakistan. However, the tribunal heard that he now intends to return to the United Kingdom to resume his medical career, describing the event as a “one-off error of judgment.”
During his testimony before the Medical Practitioners Tribunal Service (MPTS), Dr. Anjum admitted to the sexual encounter with Nurse C and confessed that he was fully aware that she was “likely to be nearby” when he left his patient. He acknowledged that his actions could have placed the patient at risk and stated: “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.”
The disgraced doctor described how his decision weighed heavily on his conscience. “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. 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. I offer my sincere apologies to everyone involved and I want the opportunity to put this right.”
Dr. Anjum also explained that the incident occurred during a particularly difficult time in his personal life. He revealed that his wife had given birth to their daughter in January 2023 after a traumatic delivery. The baby was born prematurely with a very low birth weight, leaving the family under enormous emotional strain. “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 told the tribunal.
He admitted it was “unfair” to ask another nurse to cover for him and that his actions placed Nurse NT in an “awkward position” when she stumbled upon the scene. He reiterated that his behaviour was out of character, insisting it was a lapse in judgment rather than a reflection of his professionalism or dedication to medicine.
Despite his apologies and explanation, the GMC has maintained that the act constituted serious misconduct, jeopardizing public trust in the profession. While the tribunal accepted that the patient was not harmed directly during Dr. Anjum’s absence, it emphasized that the principle of patient safety must always come first, and that even the perception of risk damages the integrity of medical practice.
The hearing in Manchester continues, with the panel set to decide whether Dr. Anjum’s fitness to practise has been irreparably impaired. If found guilty of gross misconduct, he could face suspension or being struck off the medical register altogether, ending his career in the UK.
This case has sparked wider debate about professional ethics, boundaries within healthcare institutions, and the pressures faced by doctors and nurses working under stress. While Dr. Anjum has blamed his mental health struggles and personal circumstances for his actions, the GMC has argued that such explanations cannot justify endangering a patient under anaesthetic.
The scandal underscores the critical importance of accountability in healthcare, with many asking how a doctor entrusted with the lives of vulnerable patients could prioritize personal gratification over professional duty. For the public, it serves as a reminder of the delicate trust placed in medical professionals, a trust that can be easily shattered by misconduct inside operating theatres meant to be sanctuaries of healing.
As the MPTS weighs its verdict, the medical world watches closely, knowing that its decision will set a precedent not only for Dr. Anjum but for broader expectations of accountability, professionalism, and trust in the health system.
