A prominent neurosurgeon has been suspended after engaging in a sexual relationship with a vulnerable female patient and prescribing her addictive painkillers. Dr Chirag Patel, who worked at the University Hospital of Wales in Cardiff, UK, initially operated on the woman, referred to as Patient A, to remove a damaged portion of a disc in her spine, a tribunal heard.
Sexual Relationship and Prescriptions
He then began a sexual relationship with her in 2019 after performing further surgery that same year. By February 2023, their relationship had deteriorated, tribunal chair Remi Alabi said, and Patient A reported the surgeon to the police, who notified Cardiff and Vale health board. Dr Patel admitted to the sexual relationship, sending explicit images, and prescribing drugs including the addictive muscle relaxant Diazepam.
Reckless Disregard for Safety
The panel concluded the doctor showed a reckless disregard for patient safety, continuing prescriptions even after she missed appointments and failing to inform her GP or note it in her records. Ms Alabi added that by not ending the relationship, the surgeon prioritized his personal interests over Patient A's care.
Despite being the only NHS Wales surgeon capable of certain neuropathic pain surgeries, the panel imposed an eight-month suspension to protect the public from his misconduct. Chair Mrs Alabi noted the surgeon claimed marital difficulties at the time.
Blackmail Claims
Dr Patel stated: 'When I persisted in telling her the relationship had to end, Patient A threatened to reveal it to my employer and colleagues. I was afraid if she did so, I could lose my job. With hindsight, I should have ended it and been honest. I now bitterly regret.'
The surgeon prescribed Patient A an opioid painkiller, MST, until January 2023, along with Diazepam. He operated on her a third time that year to insert a spinal cord stimulator. The panel deemed the patient vulnerable and noted her requests for painkillers may have stemmed from addiction.
Voicemail Threat
A voicemail from the patient demanded a prescription and threatened to report him. She said: 'Chirag, you had one chance, two chances, three chances. I don't want to f*** you over but my spine is f***ed. I could write a book on you. Are you going to man up and meet me, or be a cowardly c***? You're no God.'
Dr Patel claimed he saw her only under threat of blackmail, saying: 'Any romantic relationship had ended; our relationship was based on hostility and blackmail. Patient A asked for £11,000, which I didn't have, so I offered £5,000 from savings.' He expressed deep remorse for prescribing medication while in the personal relationship, stating: 'It is no excuse that I did this under threat of blackmail.'
The tribunal noted the complaint arose when the patient was in a period of psychosis. General Medical Council barrister Robin Kitching argued for striking off due to risk of repetition, as Dr Patel lacked sufficient understanding of his behavior.
