Shock as UK Doctor Abandons Patient Under Anaesthetic for Sex With Nurse

The medical world has been rocked by revelations from a UK tribunal confirming that a doctor, Dr. Suhail Anjum, abandoned a patient under anaesthetic at Tameside Hospital in 2023 to engage in a sexual act with a nurse.

The incident, which has only recently come fully to light, has left the public and medical community stunned, raising urgent questions about professional ethics, patient safety, and trust in healthcare systems.

According to tribunal reports, Dr. Anjum admitted the shocking misconduct, acknowledging that he left the operating room while a patient lay unconscious, choosing instead to satisfy personal desires with a colleague. While no physical harm befell the patient during the brief absence, the very act of leaving an anaesthetized patient unattended has been described by experts as a grave betrayal of professional duty and a violation of the oath every doctor swears to uphold.

The tribunal hearings, which concluded earlier this week, were marked by Dr. Anjum’s expression of remorse. In a statement, he admitted to what he called “a serious lapse in judgment” and acknowledged that his actions not only endangered his career but also undermined public confidence in the medical profession. He admitted the allegations in full and accepted responsibility.

For many observers, however, remorse is far from enough. Patient advocacy groups across the UK have called the case “one of the most disgraceful examples of misconduct in recent NHS history.” The fact that no harm came to the patient is seen by some as sheer luck rather than a reflection of safety protocols. As one campaigner put it: “When a patient is under anaesthetic, they are at their most vulnerable. To leave them alone, for any reason, is unthinkable. To do so for sex is beyond comprehension.”

The shocking case has reignited conversations about the pressures and cultures within UK hospitals. While most medical professionals uphold the highest standards of care, scandals like this feed public distrust at a time when the NHS is already under immense scrutiny. With long waiting lists, staff shortages, and industrial actions dominating headlines, stories of misconduct further tarnish the reputation of an institution millions depend upon.

The General Medical Council (GMC), which oversees doctors’ licenses in the UK, is now under pressure to send a strong signal. At the tribunal, disciplinary measures were discussed, with observers expecting severe sanctions that could include suspension or permanent removal from the medical register. Legal experts argue that anything less than a striking-off would be seen as lenient given the severity of the breach.

Social media has amplified the scandal, with the story trending across platforms since it was reported. Many users reacted with disbelief, while others expressed outrage that a medical professional could so casually prioritize personal gratification over patient care. Memes, hashtags, and furious debates have spread widely, showing how quickly such cases can erode trust in public institutions.

This is not the first time misconduct in hospital environments has made headlines. From inappropriate relationships between staff during shifts to cases of negligence under anaesthetic, tribunals in the past have heard disturbing accounts of professionals failing their duty of care. Yet the details of Dr. Anjum’s case — a patient left helpless on an operating table while a doctor had sex with a nurse — stand out for their sheer recklessness.

Medical ethicists have warned that the case may have broader implications. “The scandal forces us to confront questions about how much oversight exists in critical hospital environments,” said one ethicist interviewed by The Guardian. “If a doctor feels able to walk away from an unconscious patient without consequence in the moment, what does that say about institutional safeguards?”

For the patient involved, the tribunal noted that no physical harm was recorded, but the psychological impact of learning what occurred during their surgery could be severe. Lawyers specializing in medical negligence have already speculated that civil action could follow, given the breach of trust.

As Dr. Anjum awaits final judgment, his case serves as a chilling reminder that even one act of misconduct can overshadow years of service. Trust, once broken, is difficult to restore — and in medicine, trust is everything.

The tribunal’s findings will likely remain etched in public memory, not only as a scandal but as a cautionary tale about the need for uncompromising standards in healthcare. The incident may also fuel calls for stricter monitoring systems in hospitals, ensuring that no patient is ever left alone under anaesthesia.

In the end, the tragedy of this scandal is not measured by physical harm but by betrayal. A doctor who should have been the guardian of life and safety chose personal indulgence instead. For the patient, for the profession, and for the public, that choice will linger as an unforgivable breach of trust.