Latest news with #GeneralMedicalCouncil
BBC News
7 days ago
- BBC News
Doctor suspended for theft cleared to return to work
A Liverpool-based doctor who stole lip fillers and botox from a former employer has been cleared to return to Nimrit Dhillon was suspended in 2023, after being found guilty of taking items from a former employer worth £1, self-referring to the General Medical Council (GMC), she was suspended for eight months following a three-day hearing by the Medical Practitioner Tribunal Service (MPTS).In a reflective statement, made public by the MPTS, Dr Dhillon has since acknowledged her actions were "wholly unacceptable". She said she had used the suspension period "to reflect extensively, to rebuild my ethical understanding and to ensure that I never repeat these mistakes". Documents made public by the MPTS set out how, in May 2023, Dr Dhillon, who runs an aesthetic procedures business in Liverpool, stole Belotero Intense lip fillers and boxes of Bocouture botox worth £450.A week later, she stole a further three 100-unit boxes of botox and one box of 50-unit Belotero Volume dermal fillers, as well as an additional box of botox and fillers, totalling £700 in 8 June 2023, Dr Dhillon took four more boxes of 100-unit botox belonging to Facethetics Training in Aigburth, worth £ was convicted in August the same year. At a hearing last September at Liverpool Magistrates Court. she was sentenced to a 12-month community order, an unpaid work requirement of 200 hours and ordered to pay £1,450 in a reflective statement, made public by the MPTS, Dr Dhillon said she accepted "full responsibility" for her actions."I was dishonest and I stole property," she said."These actions were wholly unacceptable and fell far below the standards expected of any medical added she "deeply regretted" harm caused to colleagues and to "the reputation of the profession, to public trust, and to those who relied on me to act with honesty and integrity".After serving her suspension, it has been confirmed the GMC has revoked any barriers to the University of Leeds graduate returning to GMC and Dr Dhillon agreed in writing, signed by both parties last month, that her fitness to practise is no longer impaired by reason of her conviction, and the suspension imposed should be revoked for the outstanding GMC found "the risk of repetition of the behaviour that led to her conviction is so low as to be negligible". Listen to the best of BBC Radio Merseyside on Sounds and follow BBC Merseyside on Facebook, X, and Instagram. You can also send story ideas via Whatsapp to 0808 100 2230.
STV News
23-07-2025
- Health
- STV News
Emails discussing nurse probe should not have been written, Peggie tribunal told
Emails between witnesses discussing an investigation into a gender critical nurse who was suspended following a dispute with a transgender doctor 'should not have been written', a consultant told a tribunal. Sandie Peggie was suspended after she complained about having to share a changing room with transgender medic Dr Beth Upton at Victoria Hospital, Kirkcaldy, Fife, on Christmas Eve 2023. She was placed on special leave after Dr Upton made an allegation of bullying and harassment and cited concerns about 'patient care'. Ms Peggie has lodged a claim against NHS Fife and Dr Upton, citing the Equality Act 2010, including sexual harassment; harassment related to a protected belief; indirect discrimination; and victimisation. The tribunal resumed in Dundee on July 16 after an initial set of hearings in February. On Tuesday, Dr Kate Searle, an emergency medicine consultant, gave evidence and denied 'deliberately concealing' an email sent on January 5, 2024, by fellow consultant Maggie Currer, which included six potential witnesses plus Dr Upton. A judicial order was made in January by the tribunal, however documentation emerged during the hearings in February and an IT trawl was commissioned which Dr Searle said all clinicians involved complied with. Barrister Naomi Cunningham, representing Ms Peggie, said: 'I want to suggest you deliberately concealed it to conceal wrongdoing of colleagues.' Dr Searle said: 'It would be dishonest to do that and I'm a doctor who acts as honestly as I can at all times.' In her evidence, Dr Searle said that she had no concerns about Dr Upton's allegations as the General Medical Council requires 'honesty and integrity'. However, she said she was 'never informed' that a referral to the Nursing and Midwifery Council had been made, the tribunal heard. She said that she emailed Dr Upton with others included later in January to give an 'update' on the investigation. But during cross-examination, Dr Searle admitted 'that we should not have written these things in a group email to witnesses'. Ms Cunningham said the email on January 5, 2024, was 'seriously embarrassing to the respondents' and said it 'appears to be an intention to set up and co-ordinate a group who should not be talking about this as they're witnesses'. She added: 'It says 'information must not be shared outside this group as risk of foot in mouth syndrome – it is quite a serious risk of foot in mouth syndrome'.' Dr Searle said: 'I can appreciate that in hindsight we should not have written these things in a group email to witnesses.' Ms Cunningham quoted from Dr Upton's evidence, including that using female changing rooms was 'a thing I have been instructed to be the most appropriate', and describing biological sex as a 'nebulous dog whistle'. Dr Searle denied telling the junior doctor to use female facilities, and said: 'Definitely no instructions were given.' She agreed that biological sex was 'significant', but when the term 'nebulous dog whistle' was put to her, she denied knowing what it meant. Ms Cunningham said: 'I think it must follow that anyone who describes biological sex as a 'nebulous dog whistle' would be talking obvious nonsense.' Dr Searle said: 'I'm not sure what that means.' The witness said she emailed Equalities lead Isla Bumba on December 8, 2023 as Dr Upton felt 'uncomfortable' about Ms Peggie 'self-excluding' from the female changing room, but said she 'didn't recall' raising the possibility of taking it further, as mentioned in an internal investigation. She said she Googled policies around self-identification, and added: 'I'm not a law expert – if you Google it, it comes up under Equality Act, there are many references to toilets and changing rooms. I subsequently emailed Isla Bumba who is much more expert in Equalities than me. She agreed there is no policy.' The consultant denied that she perceived self-exclusion as 'misbehaviour'. Dr Searle said: 'We would have discussed it if Dr Upton was very uncomfortable and it was affecting them'. She said a discussion would have involved 'compassion and kindness', but added: 'It doesn't sound otherwise like there's anything to take further.' Ms Cunningham said: 'At the time you discussed it with Dr Upton you considered this to be misbehaviour, she (Ms Peggie) was behaving badly and making him feel uncomfortable.' However, Dr Searle said: 'Beth felt uncomfortable that Sandie appeared to not want to engage.' Ms Cunningham said: 'My question was: both you and he regarded Sandie's conduct in removing herself a form of misbehaviour?' Dr Searle said: 'I don't agree we would have classed it as misbehaviour.' Ms Cunningham said: 'I think you've already confirmed that email to Isla Bumba on December 8 was prompted by a conversation about Sandie removing herself from the changing room when he was there, that's right? 'You ask if there's any policies around transgender staff and suggest Dr Upton might be keen to help develop some; is it fair for the tribunal to infer the possibility of developing policies to make it easier for Dr Upton to take matters further?' Dr Searle said: 'No, I don't agree. I think there needs to be an NHS Fife policy on how everyone can feel comfortable in changing areas of their choosing.' The tribunal continues. Get all the latest news from around the country Follow STV News Scan the QR code on your mobile device for all the latest news from around the country
Telegraph
23-07-2025
- Telegraph
Amputation surgeon accused of paying Eunuch Maker to cut off others' legs
A vascular surgeon who carried out hundreds of amputation operations before having his own legs removed has been charged with fraud, police said. Neil Hopper, 49, has also been charged with encouraging someone else to remove the body parts of others. Mr Hopper has been accused of buying videos from the Eunuch Maker website showing the removal of limbs, which 'encouraged Marius Gustavson to remove body parts of third parties' between Aug 21 2018 and Dec 4 2020. He has also been accused of dishonestly making false representations to insurers, claiming his leg injuries were the 'result of sepsis and were not self-inflicted' between June 3 and June 26 2019. Mr Hopper, of Truro, Cornwall, is due before Cornwall Magistrates' Court in Bodmin on Wednesday. He has not worked at the Royal Cornwall Hospitals NHS Trust since March 2023. The General Medical Council placed restrictions on his practice the following month, and he was suspended from the medical register in December 2023. A Devon and Cornwall Police spokesman said: 'The Royal Cornwall Hospitals NHS Trust, where Mr Hopper has been employed, has worked closely with Devon and Cornwall Police throughout the investigation.' Mr Hopper previously told the BBC that losing his legs had made his life 'more interesting'. 'The thought of power tools being used on me was icky. It was really weird,' he added. A hospital trust spokesman said: 'The charges do not relate to Mr Hopper's professional conduct and there has been no evidence to suggest any risk to patients. 'Mr Hopper worked at the Royal Cornwall Hospitals from 2013 until he was suspended from duty in March 2023, following his initial arrest. 'Former patients with any questions or concerns about their treatment can contact the Royal Cornwall Hospitals' patient experience team.'
Scotsman
22-07-2025
- Health
- Scotsman
Emails discussing Sandie Peggie probe should not have been written, doctor tells tribunal
Consultant denies 'deliberately concealing' email sent by colleague that included six potential witnesses and transgender doctor Sign up to our daily newsletter – Regular news stories and round-ups from around Scotland direct to your inbox Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... Emails between witnesses discussing an investigation into a gender critical nurse who was suspended following a dispute with a transgender doctor "should not have been written", a consultant told a tribunal. Sandie Peggie was suspended after she complained about having to share a changing room with transgender medic Dr Beth Upton at Victoria Hospital , Kirkcaldy , Fife , on Christmas Eve 2023. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad She was placed on special leave after Dr Upton made an allegation of bullying and harassment and cited concerns about "patient care". Nurse Sandie Peggie complained about sharing a changing room with a transgender doctor | Lisa Ferguson Ms Peggie has lodged a claim against NHS Fife and Dr Upton, citing the Equality Act 2010, including sexual harassment; harassment related to a protected belief; indirect discrimination; and victimisation. The tribunal resumed in Dundee on July 16 after an initial set of hearings in February. On Tuesday, Dr Kate Searle , a consultant in emergency medicine, gave evidence and denied "deliberately concealing" an email sent on January 5 2024 by fellow consultant Maggie Currer, with six potential witnesses plus Dr Upton included. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad A judicial order was made in January by the tribunal, however documentation emerged during the hearings in February and an IT trawl was commissioned which Dr Searle said all clinicians involved complied with. Barrister Naomi Cunningham , representing Ms Peggie, said: "I want to suggest you deliberately concealed it to conceal wrongdoing of colleagues." Dr Searle said: "It would be dishonest to do that and I'm a doctor who acts as honestly as I can at all times." 'Honesty and integrity' In her evidence, Dr Searle said that she had no concerns about Dr Upton's allegations as the General Medical Council requires "honesty and integrity". However, she said she was "never informed" that a referral to the Nursing and Midwifery Council had been made, the tribunal heard. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad She said that she emailed Dr Upton with others included later in January to give an "update" on the investigation. But during cross-examination, Dr Searle admitted "that we should not have written these things in a group email to witnesses". Ms Cunningham said the email on January 5 2024 was "seriously embarrassing to the respondents" and said it "appears to be an intention to set up and co-ordinate a group who should not be talking about this as they're witnesses". Dr Beth Upton | National World She added: "It says 'information must not be shared outside this group as risk of foot in mouth syndrome - it is quite a serious risk of foot in mouth syndrome'." Dr Searle said: "I can appreciate that in hindsight we should not have written these things in a group email to witnesses." Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Ms Cunningham quoted from Dr Upton's evidence, including that using female changing rooms was "a thing I have been instructed to be the most appropriate", and describing biological sex as a "nebulous dog whistle". Dr Searle denied telling the junior doctor to use female facilities, and said: "Definitely no instructions were given." She agreed that biological sex was "significant", but when the term "nebulous dog whistle" was put to her, she denied knowing what it meant. Ms Cunningham said: "I think it must follow that anyone who describes biological sex as a 'nebulous dog whistle' would be talking obvious nonsense." Dr Searle said: "I'm not sure what that means." Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad The witness said she emailed Equalities lead Isla Bumba on December 8 2023 as Dr Upton felt "uncomfortable" about Ms Peggie "self-excluding" from the female changing room, but said she "didn't recall" raising the possibility of taking it further, as mentioned in an internal investigation. She said she Googled policies around self-identification, and added: "I'm not a law expert - if you Google it, it comes up under Equality Act, there are many references to toilets and changing rooms. I subsequently emailed Isla Bumba who is much more expert in Equalities than me. She agreed there is no policy." The consultant denied that she perceived self-exclusion as "misbehaviour". Dr Searle said: "We would have discussed it if Dr Upton was very uncomfortable and it was affecting them". Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad 'Compassion and kindness' She said a discussion would have involved "compassion and kindness", but added: "It doesn't sound otherwise like there's anything to take further." Ms Cunningham said: "At the time you discussed it with Dr Upton you considered this to be misbehaviour, she (Ms Peggie) was behaving badly and making him feel uncomfortable." However, Dr Searle said: "Beth felt uncomfortable that Sandie appeared to not want to engage." Ms Cunningham said: "My question was: both you and he regarded Sandie's conduct in removing herself a form of misbehaviour?" Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Dr Searle said: "I don't agree we would have classed it as misbehaviour." Ms Cunningham said: "I think you've already confirmed that email to Isla Bumba on December 8 was prompted by a conversation about Sandie removing herself from the changing room when he was there, that's right? "You ask if there's any policies around transgender staff and suggest Dr Upton might be keen to help develop some; is it fair for the tribunal to infer the possibility of developing policies to make it easier for Dr Upton to take matters further?" Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Dr Searle said: "No, I don't agree. I think there needs to be an NHS Fife policy on how everyone can feel comfortable in changing areas of their choosing." Asked by Ms Cunningham at one point whether she is female, Dr Searle said: 'Female is on my birth certificate.' Asked to elaborate on how she came to have 'female' on her birth certificate, Dr Searle replied: 'It is usually a medical decision made at birth by the biological characteristics visually seen when delivering the baby. 'I am not an expert in it.'
Daily Record
22-07-2025
- Health
- Daily Record
Sandie Peggie tribunal hears emails discussing nurse probe should not have been written
Dr Kate Searle said: "We should not have written these things in a group email to witnesses". Emails between witnesses discussing an investigation into a gender critical nurse who was suspended following a dispute with a transgender doctor "should not have been written", a consultant told a tribunal. Sandie Peggie was suspended after she complained about having to share a changing room with transgender medic Dr Beth Upton at Victoria Hospital, Kirkcaldy, Fife, on C hristmas Eve 2023. She was placed on special leave after Dr Upton made an allegation of bullying and harassment and cited concerns about "patient care". Ms Peggie has lodged a claim against NHS Fife and Dr Upton, citing the Equality Act 2010, including sexual harassment; harassment related to a protected belief; indirect discrimination; and victimisation. The tribunal resumed in Dundee on July 16 after an initial set of hearings in February. On Tuesday, Dr Kate Searle, a consultant in emergency medicine, gave evidence. She denied "deliberately concealing" an email sent on January 5 2024 by fellow consultant Maggie Currer, with six potential witnesses plus Dr Upton included. Barrister Naomi Cunningham, representing Ms Peggie, said: "I want to suggest you deliberately concealed it to conceal wrongdoing of colleagues." Dr Searle said: "It would be dishonest to do that and I'm a doctor who acts as honestly as I can at all times." In her evidence, Dr Searle said that she had no concerns about Dr Upton's allegations as the General Medical Council requires "honesty and integrity". Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community! Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today. You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland. No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team. All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in! If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice. However, she said she was "never informed" that a referral to the Nursing and Midwifery Council had been made, the tribunal heard. She said that she emailed Dr Upton with others included later in January to give an "update" on the investigation. But during cross-examination, Dr Searle admitted "that we should not have written these things in a group email to witnesses". Ms Cunningham said the email on January 5 2024 was "seriously embarrassing to the respondents". And she said it "appears to be an intention to set up and co-ordinate a group who should not be talking about this as they're witnesses". She added: "It says ' information must not be shared outside this group as risk of foot in mouth syndrome - it is quite a serious risk of foot in mouth syndrome'." Dr Searle said: "I can appreciate that in hindsight we should not have written these things in a group email to witnesses." Ms Cunningham quoted from Dr Upton's evidence. This included that using female changing rooms was "a thing I have been instructed to be the most appropriate", and describing biological sex as a "nebulous dog whistle". Dr Searle denied telling the junior doctor to use female facilities, and said: "Definitely no instructions were given." She agreed that biological sex was "significant", but when the term "nebulous dog whistle" was put to her, she denied knowing what it meant. Ms Cunningham said: "I think it must follow that anyone who describes biological sex as a 'nebulous dog whistle' would be talking obvious nonsense." Dr Searle said: "I'm not sure what that means." The witness said she emailed Equalities lead Isla Bumba on December 8 2023 as Dr Upton felt "uncomfortable" about Ms Peggie "self-excluding" from the female changing room. But she said she "didn't recall" raising the possibility of taking it further, as mentioned in an internal investigation. She said she Googled policies around self-identification, and added: "I'm not a law expert - if you Google it, it comes up under Equality Act. "There are many references to toilets and changing rooms. I subsequently emailed Isla Bumba who is much more expert in Equalities than me. She agreed there is no policy." The consultant denied that she perceived self-exclusion as "misbehaviour". Dr Searle said: "We would have discussed it if Dr Upton was very uncomfortable and it was affecting them". She said a discussion would have involved " compassion and kindness", but added: "It doesn't sound otherwise like there's anything to take further." Ms Cunningham said: "At the time you discussed it with Dr Upton you considered this to be misbehaviour, she (Ms Peggie) was behaving badly and making him feel uncomfortable." However, Dr Searle said: "Beth felt uncomfortable that Sandie appeared to not want to engage." Ms Cunningham said: "My question was: both you and he regarded Sandie's conduct in removing herself a form of misbehaviour?" Dr Searle said: "I don't agree we would have classed it as misbehaviour." Ms Cunningham said: "I think you've already confirmed that email to Isla Bumba on December 8 was prompted by a conversation about Sandie removing herself from the changing room when he was there, that's right? "You ask if there's any policies around transgender staff and suggest Dr Upton might be keen to help develop some; is it fair for the tribunal to infer the possibility of developing policies to make it easier for Dr Upton to take matters further?" Dr Searle said: "No, I don't agree. I think there needs to be an NHS Fife policy on how everyone can feel comfortable in changing areas of their choosing." The tribunal continues.
