By Jordan Elkins - Salisbury Journal - 08.03.2023 - [UK] - [Mansoor Khan] A DOCTOR who sought out and downloaded illegal videos of children suffering sexual abuse has been erased from the medical register and will never practice again, a tribunal has ruled.
Mansoor Khan, a former plastic surgeon who practiced at Salisbury District Hospital, has been deemed to have a "high risk" of re-offending after showing no insight into his "deplorable" conduct.
No evidence was offered to the Medical Practitioners' Tribunal Service to suggest Khan had taken steps to mitigate his actions and he did not attend any of the virtual hearings from March 5 to 7. The tribunal determined permanent erasure from the medical register to be "the only proportionate and appropriate sanction" to maintain public confidence in the profession, the regulator and the regulatory process.
Khan, a 54-year-old father of four, was sentenced to an eight-month suspended prison sentence after being found guilty of three charges of making indecent photos of a child last year. He had downloaded an anonymous browser to access inappropriate photos of children as young as two.
The tribunal considered evidence of intent by Khan to view the incident images and it was of the opinion that his "persistent denial" was a "serious aggravating factor". Documents published following the decision read: "The tribunal was of the opinion that Dr Khan was maintaining his alternative narrative in an attempt to protect his career and livelihood and that this demonstrated a complete lack of insight into the gravity of the offence and further had prevented any remediation.
"The Tribunal considered that Dr Khan should not practise again for public safety reasons and to protect the reputation of the profession."
A string of other aggravating factors were submitted by Lewis Kennedy, an advocate from the GMC, which included the course of conduct spanning an eight month period and the fact Khan has not demonstrated regret or remorse for his actions. Speaking on the third day of the tribunal, Mr Kennedy said: "Erasure is the only appropriate sanction. Possession of this contraband isn’t remotely a victimless crime.
"Suspension isn’t an appropriate sanction in the particular circumstances of this conviction.
"It wouldn’t properly mark the seriousness of Dr Khan’s misconduct or protect public interest, uphold standards in the profession or demonstrate to the medical profession that this type of behaviour isn’t acceptable."
Unless Khan appeals the tribunal's decision, he will be erased from the medical register in 28 days. A suspension preventing Khan from practicing was imposed for these interim 28 days.
If you have been affected by any of the issues raised in this article, you can contact Dignity4Patients, whose helpline is open Monday to Thursday 10am to 4pm.
Dignity4Patients Commentary: It is crucial that individuals with a history of sexual abuse should be removed from the medical field due to their close proximity to children and vulnerable adults. Public safety must always be prioritized over professional reputation, livelihoods or careers. However, our concerns remain that could this doctor re register in another county and continue to practise elsewhere. Shouldn't there be a centralised register to check this history of doctors being hired particularly those found guilty of sexual abuse and serious malpractice?