A medical practitioner has been removed from the professional register after a tribunal found he had sexually harassed and objectified junior female colleagues, including making inappropriate comments and unwanted physical contact.
Tribunal’s Findings
Dr. Velmurugan Kuppuswamy faced a series of allegations detailing a pattern of misconduct. The tribunal concluded that Dr. Kuppuswamy had engaged in behaviour that constituted sexual harassment and objectification. Specific incidents included referring to a junior colleague as a “bad girl” and squeezing her waist without consent.
Impact on Colleagues
The tribunal heard evidence that Dr. Kuppuswamy’s actions created a hostile and intimidating working environment for his female colleagues. His behaviour was deemed to have undermined their professional standing and caused them distress.
Professional Consequences
In its ruling, the Medical Practitioners Tribunal Service (MPTS) determined that Dr. Kuppuswamy’s conduct was so serious that it brought the medical profession into disrepute. The decision to strike him off the medical register means he is no longer permitted to practise medicine in the United Kingdom.
Commitment to Patient Safety
The MPTS emphasised that its primary concern is the safety and well-being of patients. The tribunal’s decision reflects a commitment to upholding the highest standards of professional conduct within the medical field and ensuring that healthcare environments are free from harassment and discrimination.
