Doctor 'emboldened' by 'banter culture' is suspended for sexual harassment

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A locum doctor is facing a nine month suspension for sexual harassment after being “emboldened” by the “culture of banter” in the department where he was working.

A tribunal has found that Dr Mubashsher Muhammed repeatedly touched and “flirted” with two nurses whilst working at an emergency department in Stockport.

The doctor blocked a female nurse’s entry to a changing room and placed his hand on her throat whilst asking for her phone number, the tribunal ruled.

The tribunal heard that in WhatsApp messages, one of the nurses referred to the doctor “flirting” with her and using banter.

One of the nurses also told the tribunal that it was a high pressure department with a general culture of banter and "gallows humour".

In its ruling, the Medical Practitioner Tribunal Service stated it “accepted that there was a culture amongst more long-standing staff of ‘banter’ and familiarity that included touching. Dr Muhammed was new to the department. The Tribunal make no comment as to whether this wider culture was appropriate or not. Dr Muhammed was asked to stop by Nurse A and Nurse B but he carried on, nonetheless.”