Doctor receives warning for derogatory comments about Muslim patients

A medical tribunal has issued a warning to a doctor who inadvertently recorded himself making derogatory remarks about two Muslim patients in a voicemail message. Dr. Balvinder Mehat inadvertently left these comments after calling another patient and neglecting to end the call. Dr. Mehat, a senior partner at Bakersfield Medical Centre in Nottingham, is also currently under investigation by the General Medical Council (GMC) for performing a circumcision on a boy without his father’s consent. Dr. Mehat expressed his regret for the comments to the BBC, stating that the warning constituted “a necessary, appropriate, and proportionate outcome.” The remarks were expressed in very strong language, containing the assertion that “these Muslims are very bad” and including a reference to incest. Dr. Mehat, who is Sikh, uttered these comments during a conversation with his practice manager on July 8, 2021. In a statement presented to the tribunal, Dr. Mehat indicated that the discussion concerned a patient who had been “rude and verbally abusive” during a phone call with another staff member and had also posted a negative online review. Dr. Mehat’s statement included the following: “During the conversation with Ms D [the practice manager], which was in Punjabi, I used language and made comments that I am ashamed of and I apologise unreservedly.” He further stated, “I felt angry and upset that the negative review had been posted and I spoke in a way which was derogatory and unacceptable.” He concluded, “I am truly ashamed.” An unidentified individual subsequently disseminated Dr. Mehat’s voicemail to a broader audience. The GP informed the tribunal that the recording was published on social media in August 2023, and he became aware of it when his son’s friend sent it to him via WhatsApp. In his statement, Dr. Mehat affirmed, “I proceeded to publish an apology on the practice’s website and I have personally apologised to members of the local community.” The Medical Practitioners Tribunal Service (MPTS) noted that the recording had “caused some concern amongst the Muslim population, who represent around a fifth of the practice patient list.” Dr. Mehat appeared before the MPTS following an investigation by the General Medical Council (GMC). He acknowledged two allegations concerning two comments he made within the voicemail. While he denied that his actions had “demonstrated hostility based on race/religion,” the tribunal determined this allegation to be proven. He also denied that his actions “were motivated wholly or partly by racial/religious hostility,” an allegation the tribunal found not proven. Dr. Mehat informed the tribunal that his use of the phrase “these Muslims” referred solely to the two patients who had complained, not to Muslim individuals generally. In his statement, he clarified, “My outburst was about them [the patients] and their actions, which I had found deeply upsetting.” The tribunal further ruled that Dr. Mehat’s conduct constituted “serious misconduct,” but acknowledged that he had displayed “considerable remorse,” and consequently, his fitness to practice was not deemed impaired by his comments. Jetinder Shergill, the tribunal’s chair, stated: “He has apologised publicly and expressed regret from the time he became aware that the recording existed.” Shergill added, “Further, he self-referred to the GMC at the first opportunity and gave full and frank accounts in his statements.” “He made appropriate admissions, and acknowledged to the tribunal that his language was unacceptable and derogatory,” Shergill concluded. The GMC is still investigating an allegation that Dr. Mehat circumcised a child without the father’s consent. The boy required hospital surgery after developing an infection in his penis subsequent to the circumcision. In 2019, an MPTS tribunal previously suspended Dr. Mehat for circumcising a baby without the mother’s consent, after the child’s paternal grandmother brought him for the procedure. Nevertheless, Dr. Mehat retained his position as he was deemed to pose “no risk to patients.” For updates, follow BBC Nottingham on Facebook, X, or Instagram. Story ideas can be submitted to eastmidsnews@bbc.co.uk or via WhatsApp at 0808 100 2210. Copyright 2024 BBC. All rights reserved. The BBC disclaims responsibility for the content of external sites. Information regarding its approach to external linking is available.