Doctor who kissed patient's hand can work again
GoogleA doctor who was suspended for behaving inappropriately towards two younger female patients has been allowed to fully return to practice.
Dr Ahmed Elshafey was suspended by the Medical Practitioners Tribunal Service (MPTS) in 2023 for his misconduct while working at Furness General Hospital in Barrow, Cumbria.
The tribunal heard evidence he had complimented both patients on their appearance during appointments, and kissed one's hand.
University Hospitals of Morecambe Bay trust, which runs the hospital, has been approached for comment.
Documents from the MPTS said the tribunal had judged Dr Elshafey's behaviour to amount to "serious professional misconduct" and that his actions were "ill-judged, unprofessional and impermissibly crossed proper professional boundaries".
A review of his suspension in April 2024 found there had been "some development in Dr Elshafey's insight", however he had "not fully internalised the impact of his misconduct" on the patients.
They imposed a period of "conditional registration" to give him more time to work on his behaviour.
Efforts to change behaviour
A fresh review held last month found Dr Elshafey could return to practice in the UK without restrictions.
The judgement said Dr Elshafey had made efforts to "develop insight", including attending training courses and developing his own checklist to change his behaviour.
It added: "He recognised that it was not about his intentions at the time, but about his actions and their impact on other people.
"Dr Elshafey said that he wanted to express his shame and regret about the things which he had said and done."
The documents show the doctor, who started working in Egypt in 2024, had obtained a "Certificate of Good Standing from the Egyptian Medical Syndicate", as well as a valid licence "which showed no issues with his practice".
"The tribunal was satisfied that Dr Elshafey has taken on board the findings of the previous tribunals and it was satisfied that he has fully remediated his conduct," said the MPTS.
Dr Elshafey qualified as a doctor in 2004 from Tanta University, Egypt, documents show.
He started working as an associate specialist in ophthalmology at Furness General Hospital in 2017 and the papers said he had joined the National Eye Centre in Cairo, Egypt, last August.