Tribunal removes restriction imposed on doctor

A DOCTOR who said a patient in Fife sounded like a terrorist and showed pornographic images to colleagues can return to unrestricted practice.

Dr Nikolay Tsakov said a patient “sounded like they worked for Al Qaeda” after reading names from a clinic list.

The incidents occurred while the ear, nose and throat consultant was working for NHS Fife at Kirkcaldy’s Victoria Hospital.

The Medical Practitioners Tribunal Service (MPTS) found his behaviour brought the profession into “disrepute”, at a tribunal in 2021 and his fitness to practise found impaired by reason of misconduct.

Dr Tsakov was also found to have committed misconduct at a number of other UK health boards.

While working at Hinchingbrooke Hospital in Huntingdon near Cambridge in October 2017, he stated to a pregnant colleague: “Is that what happens when you sleep with no knickers on?”

And in another incident, the Bulgarian native showed pornographic images of naked women to female colleagues.

He also told a healthcare assistant she reminded him of “a German Nazi with blonde hair and green eyes”.

His registration is subject to conditions until June 29 2022.

However, this week, the body found Dr Tsakov’s fitness to practise to no longer be impaired.

It reached the decision after receiving a reflective statement from the doctor, as well as testimonials from colleagues.

The tribunal heard evidence from workmates, who described him as “kind and helpful” and a “respectful and committed colleague”.

And “matters which were found proved were failed attempts at humour to lighten the mood”.

Dr Tsakov issued a statement to the tribunal saying: “The allegations against me are a cause of great shame, as someone who wants to help and heal.

“To find that I have offended and upset people is absolutely devastating.”