Top surgeon who was 'blackmailed' for drugs after having sex with patient is suspended
Summary
A neurosurgeon at University Hospital Wales was suspended for eight months for having a sexual relationship with a patient and prescribing strong painkillers without proper medical records. The doctor admitted to his mistakes and said he feared losing his job because the patient threatened to expose their relationship.Key Facts
- Chirag Patel, a neurosurgeon, treated a patient three times between 2019 and 2021.
- After the first surgery in 2019, Patel and the patient had a sexual relationship lasting six months.
- Patel continued prescribing opioids without recording it or informing the patient’s general doctor until January 2023.
- The patient threatened to expose the relationship, which Patel said made him afraid of losing his job.
- Patel referred himself to the General Medical Council, which regulates doctors in the UK.
- The medical tribunal said Patel’s misconduct was serious and hurt patient safety.
- Patel was the only doctor in Wales who could treat the patient’s specific condition.
- Cardiff and Vale University Health Board confirmed Patel was not currently working for them during the suspension.
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