British authorities have barred a middle-aged Indian doctor from practicing for a year and threatened to revoke his license permanently after he was accused by a woman patient of behaving indecently during a breast examination.
The doctor, Subhas Pattar, worked as a consultant physician and gastroenterologist in the state-run National Health Service. He migrated to Britain in 1980.
At the general Medical Council hearing in Manchester, it was ruled that Pattar's fitness to practice had been 'impaired' and that a 12-month suspension was imposed on his registration with the GMC.
Before the panel meeting, Pattar, who graduated from the Karnatak University, Dharwad, in 1974, claimed that he had done nothing wrong and alleged that cases had been fabricated against him. Pattar, who is in his 60s, said he was considering returning to India.
The case against Pattar related to an allegation that while working as a locum at the Wythenshaw Hospital, Lancashire, in September 2005, Pattar had acted inappropriately during a breast examination on a female patient, identified as Ms A.
Pattar allegedly did not stop when the patient asked him to stop the examination, which was carried out without any explanation of why it was necessary or what it would involve.
"This Panel is strongly of the view that you should not be permitted to return to unrestricted practice unless you are able to demonstrate that this panel's deep concerns about your medical knowledge, clinical practice and relationships with patients and staff have been successfully addressed," the GMC said.
"It is alleged that Dr Pattar's actions and omissions in respect of the breast examination were unprofessional and inappropriate. It is also alleged that the Trust employing Dr Pattar through a locum agency terminated their contract for his services amid concerns regarding his treatment of patients," the GMC said.
Noting that the panel had a duty to protect the public interest, it ruled that Pattar's suspension 'adequately, appropriately and proportionately addresses its duty to protect the public interest'.
The panel ruled: 'This period of suspension sends out a signal that your behaviour is unacceptable and will not be tolerated. This period allows you the time to appreciate the gravity of your actions and to address your deficiencies.'
Noting that Pattar's behaviour at Wythenshawe 'was a serious departure from the principles of Good Medical Practice', the panel said it was concerned about 'serious deficiencies in the clinical management and treatment of four patients, as well as your attitude towards several patients and colleagues'.
