10,000 people have signed a petition calling for Dr Ali Shokouh-Amiri to be struck off after he was given a formal warning for a number of serious failings whilst working in Guernsey.
Hundreds of allegations were made against him, with some admitted – including 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 Medical Practitioners Tribunal Service panel found tens of other allegations made against him were not proven – and although he was a given a formal warning for his conduct he’s been allowed to continue practicing medicine.
His proven ‘failings’ had occurred when he worked in Guernsey as the MSG’s Consultant Obstetrician and Gynaecologist. He left the island in 2019 and has worked in Southend since 2022.
The Mid and South Essex NHS Foundation Trust which now employs him said it has “full confidence in his ability to provide safe, high-quality care to our patients”.
“We understand the strength of feeling about this case and want to reassure women that we always have safeguarding procedures and chaperoning in place, in all our clinics,” said Christine Blanshard, Chief Medical Officer for Mid and South Essex NHS Foundation Trust.
“Dr Shokouh-Amiri has undergone a full tribunal hearing regarding historical allegations from his time at another hospital. Following this process, the tribunal concluded that he remains fit to practise. He continues to work at Southend Hospital in accordance with the terms of his registration. We have full confidence in his ability to provide safe, high-quality care to our patients.”
Despite Ms Blanshard’s confidence in his work, many people living in the Southend area are holding the same concerns as people in Guernsey.
The NHS Trust has confirmed that some people have asked to change their consultant – which is a patient right under the ‘NHS choice framework’.
A petition which was launched by a woman living in Southend passed the 10,000 signature mark this morning – with thousands of comments from people expressing their disgust with the MPTS decision that he can continue working, with others sharing concerns over their own medical treatment.
Six women made more than 100 allegations against Dr Shokouh-Amiri between them, during his time working in Guernsey between 2016 and 2019.
The MPTS found the majority of the allegations were not proven, but said where failings had occurred they concerned “over-familiarity with patients, surgical issues, clinical errors, and chaperones”.
One of the victims told Express that she feels “broken” and “let down” at the decisions made locally and in the UK, but is determined to fight for “justice”.
The MSG which employed him in Guernsey between 2016 and 2019 has apologised to the women involved.