A disturbing case of medical misconduct has emerged from the UK, where a senior anaesthetist abandoned a patient mid-surgery to engage in an inappropriate act with a nurse in another room. Dr. Suhail Anjum, a 44-year-old consultant anaesthetist, left his patient under anaesthesia on the operating table at Tameside Hospital, Greater Manchester, in September 2023, only to be found in a compromising position with an unnamed nurse.
According to the BBC, the incident unfolded when Dr. Anjum told his colleagues he needed a “comfort break” during surgery. However, he was later discovered in another operating theatre with Nurse C, where he was engaged in an act that the General Medical Council (GMC) described as “shameful”. This revelation has since sparked a wave of outrage on social media, with many questioning whether Dr. Anjum should ever be allowed to return to the medical profession.
A nurse, who was reportedly “shocked” upon stumbling upon the pair, immediately exited the theatre, as detailed by Andrew Molloy, representing the GMC. Dr. Anjum was absent for around eight minutes, but the surgery was able to continue without incident during his brief absence. No harm was caused to the patient during this time, as confirmed by Molloy in his testimony.
The incident came to light during a fitness-to-practise hearing, after Dr. Anjum applied to resume his medical career in the UK, having been living in Pakistan. During the hearing, Dr. Anjum admitted to the misconduct, acknowledging the potential risk to the patient. He described his actions as a “one-off error of judgment” and offered a heartfelt apology, stating, “It was quite shameful, to say the least. I only have myself to blame. I offer my sincere apologies to everyone involved, and I want the opportunity to put this right.”
Dr. Anjum further explained that personal pressures, including the premature birth of a child and marital strain, had contributed to his lapse in judgment. However, he expressed regret for letting down both his colleagues and the NHS trust.
The hearing continued on 12 September 2025, with the tribunal still deliberating on whether Dr. Anjum is fit to return to practice in the UK.
