After a month-long hearing earlier this year, the tribunal determined that that his behaviour amounted to misconduct.
But it only issued the doctor with a warning, which aimed to uphold public confidence in medical professionals, but did not stop him from practising. Six Guernsey patients had made accusations against the consultant obstetrician and gynaecologist, who worked with the MSG between 2016 and 2019.
Among the issues proved was that he removed two women’s ovaries without consent, repeatedly failed to have a chaperone when with patients for intimate checks, inappropriate touching and failing to organise appropriate medical follow-ups.
Now the GMC has raised concerns about the verdict.
‘The GMC has decided to exercise its powers to issue an appeal in the case of Dr Ali Shokouh-Amiri on grounds including that the tribunal erred in a number of their factual findings, and the tribunal was wrong to conclude that the doctor’s fitness to practise was not impaired,’ a spokeswoman said.
A full investigation into Dr Ali Shokouh-Amiri began in March 2019. During the investigation, Dr Shokouh-Amiri had the GMC placed interim restrictions on his registration.
But while the GMC investigates concerns about doctors, the decision is then taken by the independent MPTS about fitness to practise.
‘The GMC’s position was that based on the allegations found proven, the doctor’s fitness to practise should be found impaired for protection of the public, because there was not sufficient evidence of insight, and the tribunal could not be assured that without restrictions on the doctor’s registration, there would not be a risk of repetition,’ the spokeswoman said.
‘However, the tribunal found that the doctor was not impaired and issued a warning instead, to remain on his public registration for two years and disclosed to employers indefinitely on request. In this case the GMC has decided to exercise its powers to issue an appeal.’
When the tribunal imposes a sanction less than recommended by the GMC, it will always review the case and make a decision as to whether it should be referred to its executive panel.
Dr Shokouh-Amiri now works in Southend University Hospital in Essex.
A petition to revoke his medical licence has garnered more than 22,000 signatures.
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