Gynaecologist who removed women’s ovaries without consent to face new hearing

A gynaecologist accused of removing two women's ovaries without their consent has been ordered to appear before a medical tribunal again following a High Court ruling. The doctor, Dr Ali Shokouh-Amiri, faces a new hearing to determine whether he is still fit to practice medicine after being cleared of some misconduct allegations by a previous tribunal. Dr Shokouh-Amiri was found guilty of misconduct in February 2025 by the Medical Practitioners Tribunal. He received a formal warning, though the tribunal concluded that his fitness to practise was not compromised. The charges included allegations of inappropriate or sexually motivated behavior toward four patients, dishonesty, and failure to have a chaperone during examinations. Dr Shokouh-Amiri admitted to performing two ovarian removals without consent, one of which lacked a medical justification. However, he denied other accusations. The tribunal determined that certain allegations, such as hugging and kissing a patient, were proven but did not constitute misconduct. Other claims regarding inappropriate conduct were not substantiated. Nevertheless, the tribunal acknowledged that the ovarian removals and suggestions to a patient to join him in the gym constituted misconduct. In response, the General Medical Council (GMC) appealed the tribunal’s decision at the High Court in late 2025. The court heard arguments from both sides, focusing on whether the tribunal had properly assessed the seriousness of the allegations. On Friday, Mr Justice Morris ruled in favor of the GMC, stating that the tribunal had made “wrong or unjust” decisions concerning five sets of allegations. The judge noted that the tribunal’s reasoning was often unclear or inconsistent, with errors in factual assessment and failure to consider key evidence. Justice Morris emphasized that the tribunal had not adequately addressed the potential impact of specific allegations on the overall evaluation of Dr Shokouh-Amiri’s conduct. He pointed out that even if the allegations involving one patient were proven, they would not necessarily justify the conclusions drawn about other patients. The judge further criticized the tribunal for making contradictory statements and failing to provide coherent explanations for its rulings. The ruling means that the case will be sent back to the Medical Practitioners Tribunal for a reconsideration of the allegations and a reassessment of Dr Shokouh-Amiri’s fitness to practise. The judge expressed concerns about the tribunal’s handling of the case, particularly its approach to evaluating the likelihood of future misconduct based on past actions. A GMC spokesperson stated that the organization welcomes the High Court’s decision to allow the appeal. They highlighted that the court recognized the tribunal had made significant errors in its evaluation of the serious allegations against Dr Shokouh-Amiri. The spokesperson added that the GMC will continue to pursue challenges where it believes the outcomes fail to safeguard the public interest. The case underscores ongoing scrutiny of medical professionals and the legal processes used to assess their suitability for continued practice. It also highlights the complexities of balancing individual accountability with broader public safety considerations. As the case moves forward, the focus will remain on ensuring that all allegations are thoroughly examined and that appropriate measures are taken to protect patient welfare.