One of Dr Ali Shokouh-Amiri’s victims has told Express that she is finally feeling more positive after hearing that the GMC will appeal the decision that allowed him to continue working.
Speaking anonymously, she said she is now looking forward to what might come next.
The GMC said it 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”.
If the appeal is successful, Dr Shokouh-Amiri could be struck off.
“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,” a spokesperson told Express.
“In this case the GMC has decided to exercise its powers to issue an appeal. Any sanction is subject to a 28-day appeal period,” confirmed the GMC.
Dr Shokouh-Amiri’s proven ‘failings’ all occurred when he worked in Guernsey as the MSG’s Consultant Obstetrician and Gynaecologist.
His failings included removing the ovaries of two women without their consent, carrying out intimate examinations without a chaperone on multiple women, and failing to arrange treatment for another patient.
A MPTS panel heard his case earlier this year, and issued him with a warning for the “serious failings” but decided he was allowed to continue practicing medicine.
One of the women who had complained about her treatment in Guernsey previously told Express that she was “broken” by the experience.
However, now she says: “I definitely feel more positive, especially as they have also said that the MPTS were not fair on us as witnesses and they ignored evidence.
“I just hope they don’t take too long to decide what they are going to do now… but we have been advised to expect another tribunal… which would be completely exhausting!”
She was one of six women in Guernsey who independently made a number of allegations against Dr Shokouh-Amiri.
Previously she and another victim have spoken to Express anonymously sharing their feelings of being let down by the MPTS.
The GMC had kept them informed that an appeal was being lodged but nothing was confirmed until yesterday, said one of the women.
“We were told that an appeal had been successful two weeks ago, but they wouldn’t tell us the grounds of the appeal. We were told that we had to wait until it was published online, so I have been checking numerous times a day.”
The six women in Guernsey, and others elsewhere – including Mollie-Jane Randall – are now awaiting the outcome of the appeal.
Ms Randall is the woman behind the petition calling for Dr Shokouh-Amiri to be struck off.
She lives in the Southend area, where Dr Shokouh-Amiri has worked since 2022.
“I am thankful they are finally reviewing their decision, I just hope they make the right one this time,” she said.
“The GMC needs to think of our community and the women who have been traumatised by him since their original decision to keep him practicing. Their initial decision ruined lives. Let’s hope they make the right decision and revoke his licence.”
Ms Randall works in healthcare and previously told Express that she had started her petition because women have a right to know who they are being examined by.
The Mid and South Essex NHS Foundation Trust which has employed Dr Shokouh-Amiri since 2022 previously told Express that it has “full confidence in his ability to provide safe, high-quality care to our patients”.
Express asked for an update on that yesterday but has not yet received an answer.