Southall locum GP struck off for “serious abuse of the position of trust held by a doctor”

A 63-year-old locum GP who worked at Woodbridge Medical Centre in Southall has been struck off following a Medical Practitioners Tribunal Service hearing in which Dr Dharmapragasam Inthiraraj was described as “behaved in a predatory manner” towards two women in 2018.

The investigation heard from one patient which told the misconduct panel that the GP told her to “enjoy it” when he unnecessarily examined her in the genital area. He also told her when she tried to get up to “cool down, nothing has happened”.

Inthiraraj denied the claims but the tribunal chair Julia Oakford ruled it took place. It was described as: “in effect was a sexual assault”.

In the case of another woman, Inthiraraj  contacted a vulnerable mother who was a victim of domestic abuse. He got her number from her medical records and proceeded to message her saying he knew of her domestic abuse, offering to talk to her anytime and sending animal emojis.

The panel found that the former GP engaged in a “pattern of inappropriate behaviour” towards the woman.

Following his approaches to both women they complained about him to Woodbridge Medical Centre about his behaviour.

Inthiraraj told the hearing through his legal representative that he regretted his actions to the patient who suffered domestic abuse and he acknowledged “unboundaried” behaviour. His lawyer said that Inthiraraj was previously of good character.

The Tribunal ruled that he should be struck off from the medical register.  Ms Oakford said: “Dr Inthiraraj, in behaving in the manner he did, showed a blatant disregard for patients and put his own interests above the need of his patients. The Tribunal viewed this as a serious abuse of the position of trust held by a doctor.”

There is an immediate suspension of Inthiraraj which covers a 28-day appeals period before the strike-off order takes effect.