Doctor cleared of bullying... he was just being ‘assertive’
A SENIOR doctor has been cleared of bullying and sexual misconduct after a nurse took him to a tribunal.
The woman, known as Ms A, claimed Dr Saukat Ali, 44, told her off for straightening her bra strap and ran his hand over it after trying to get her attention.
She said he would also say things like, “You aren’t doing your job properly.Are you really a nurse?
“Why do you come here to moan? Why don’t you go and work in a supermarket? Be professional.”
But the Medical Practitioners Tribunal Service, which had the power to strike off Dr Ali, dismissed all the claims and said he was simply being assertive as he “needed to ensure things were done”.
He denied any wrongdoing and said he had no recollection of “matters raised by Ms A”. Dr Ali, a locum consultant in charge of A&E in the West Midlands, had faced career ruin after 19 years in medicine.
It was claimed he told Ms A: “Hurry up and push her to have an X-ray, quick, you don’t know your job. I must tell you your job”. He was also said to have told a colleague that the nurse only came to work “to socialise”. When he saw her straightening her bra strap, he reportedly told her: “Why are you touching yourself? Are you sure you are the corridor nurse?”
The Manchester hearing was told Dr Ali had been working at Russell Hall Hospital, Dudley, and at Heartlands Hospital, Birmingham, at the time, in 2018. Tribunal chair Ian Comfort said Ms A’s account was not supported by any witnesses. He added: “Dr Ali was in charge of the A&E department and was responsible for its efficient and effective functioning.
“As a manager, it would be necessary for him to speak with staff about their performance.”