Gynaecologist Struck Off for Sexually Harassing Patient

A senior medical professional has been removed from the medical register following the sexual harassment of a patient, which resulted in the patient experiencing a panic attack. The individual, Usama Abuzoda, was employed as a consultant in obstetrics and gynaecology at Peterborough City Hospital at the time these misconduct incidents took place. During a tribunal hearing, it was revealed that on one occasion, Mr. Abuzoda contacted his victim, who was also a junior colleague, outside of working hours and stated: “If I wanted to have a one-night stand, I’d have it with someone like you”. The victim subsequently resigned from her position, citing a lack of safety in her workplace, and expressed that she was “completely traumatised by the whole situation”. The Medical Practitioners Tribunal Service (MPTS) received testimony detailing how Mr. Abuzoda became the victim’s gynaecology consultant in 2020, following her request for a referral from her general practitioner. She had previously undergone a surgical procedure and sought a second medical opinion due to a worsening of her symptoms. In January 2021, after the patient had returned home unwell from work, Mr. Abuzoda telephoned her on two occasions, purportedly to inquire about her well-being. During these two phone conversations, he reportedly informed her she was “really beautiful” and questioned whether “she wanted some excitement”. The victim recounted feeling panicked, stating that “he knew where I lived”. Subsequent to a “work night out” later that year, Mr. Abuzoda is alleged to have followed his victim home in his vehicle. She asserted that he “kept indicating and putting his hazard lights” on, which caused her to feel “scared and worried”. He then transmitted a message to her, proposing a meeting. The tribunal concluded that Mr. Abuzoda’s conduct was sexually motivated. One week thereafter, a senior manager issued a caution to Mr. Abuzoda regarding his behavior, though he was not instructed to refrain from contacting the individual. Four months subsequent to this, it was alleged that he pursued his victim to a staff car park, where he proceeded to shout and wave in her direction. In an impact statement presented to the tribunal, the victim, identified as Miss A, articulated: “As my gynaecologist I should have felt safe and respected by Mr Abuzoda but I did not.” She further stated: “This has had a long-lasting effect on my trust in male medical professionals, which given my long term incurable medical conditions has a huge effect and impact on management of my conditions and my mental and physical health.” Mr. Abuzoda departed from Peterborough City Hospital in November 2023, subsequently taking up employment at Tameside General Hospital, located near Manchester. The tribunal determined that his removal from the medical register represented the “only sufficient sanction which would protect patients, maintain public confidence in the profession and send a clear message to Dr Abuzoda, the profession and the public that his misconduct constituted behaviour unbefitting and incompatible with that of a registered doctor”. The tribunal further commented: “[Miss A] required an intimate surgical intervention by a doctor who, unsolicited, had clearly demonstrated his sexual interest in her. For a young vulnerable woman and patient to have been placed in this position by Dr Abuzoda is something that fellow professionals would find deplorable.”