Blackpool Victoria Hospital doctor Surrayya Najeeb struck off over concerns for patient safety

A doctor at Blackpool Victoria Hospital who failed to disclose she had being demoted from consultant to registrar after concerns were raised about her work has been struck off.

A hearing of the Medical Practitioners Tribunal Service (MPTS) heard Dr Surrayya Najeeb worked as a Locum Consultant at Blackpool Teaching Hospitals (BTH) from June 2021 until February 2023.

But following concerns about her clinical performance bosses at Blackpool Victoria Hospital demoted Dr Najeeb to a Registrar role in the interest of patient safety in October 2022.

But the doctor, who qualified in 1985 from Sindh Medical College at the University of Karachi, Pakistan, went on to apply and be appointed as a Locum Consultant in Acute Medicine at Queen Elizabeth Hospital King’s Lynn (QEH) from March 2023 until February 2024 - and did not disclose details of her demotion or concerns about her skill level.

The MPTS heard she also did not disclose she had failed to demonstrate the required skills when attending the Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support Course (ACLS/ALS) on November 29, 2022 and had not progressed to the testing stage of the course.

The hearing was told when she was challenged by the Medical Director and Responsible Officer at QEH, on December 12, 2023, Dr Najeeb denied her change in role, or knowledge of any concerns at BTH.

In August 2024 Dr Najeeb underwent a GMC performance assessment which found that her professional performance was unacceptable and a cause for concern in multiple areas. It was at this point initial concerns were raised with the GMC on 22 December 22, 2023 by QEH.

Evidence presented to the MPTS included statements and meeting notes from Dr Najeeb's colleagues at Blackpool Victoria Hospital.

Meeting notes said: “On ward 3 people come with concerns – essentially that you are trying really hard, they like you but don’t think you are working at the level of a consultant. Patient safety concerns.

“Over investigation, in last days of life about to go to Hospice has back pain you want to do full MRI spine. Concerns a lady who was pregnant on ward, query pulmonary embolism, you were investigating her for sinusitis, requesting x-ray of sinus.

“Patient rectal cancer, in pain, against advice of Palliative Consultant, investigation as to why patient has pain.”

The Tribunal also had evidence from the notes of a meeting with Dr Najeeb that took place on October 19, 2022.

The notes said: “We think you are working hard and I am sure you are doing your best, about your ability to work as a consultant. Not on the specialist register, I am responsible for making sure we have a safe standard of care for the consultant.

“There was a time, I suggested I come to your ward rounds and discuss few patients you saw for a few weeks. Concerns raised about pharmacology, how to treat patients …..inherent problem we have, you don’t feel there are concerns, other’s do. It has been raised before, nothing against you as a person.”

Despite the change to a more junior role Dr Najeeb was told her contract and pay scale would not be affected by the demotion.

Responding to the news of her demotion, Dr Najeeb said: “Your decision whatever you want to do, the decision is made by you. You are not asking me, you are telling me. Don’t think I am doing a bad job, the junior doctors are not there to make comments on me. I am working towards the GMC regulations.”

The MPTS panel found all allegations against Dr Najeeb were proven and her failure to disclose her demotion, concerns about her medical skills and her denial when questioned was dishonest and fell short of the standard of behaviour expected from a doctor.

Dr Najeeb did not attend the hearing or have legal representatives present with the panel noting that she "had not responded to the misconduct allegations and submitted that there is no evidence of insight, remorse or remediation".

The Tribunal also took into account the response from Dr Najeeb’s representatives, which confirmed receipt and her non-attendance. Accordingly, the Tribunal was satisfied that service has been effected in accordance with the Rules.

The Tribunal decided to erase Dr Najeeb’s name from the medical register after considering “Dr Najeeb poses an ongoing risk to patient safety by virtue of her misconduct and deficient professional performance”.