A doctor who stalked Abi Titmuss and was struck off the medical register for ‘putting patients at risk’ with a ‘lack of clinical knowledge and insight’ has had his licence restored.
Shibley Rahman was struck off the medical register in 2006 after he was issued a harassment order from police for bombarding the former nurse with up to 3,000 text messages – even turning up at her home on several occasions.
At a restorative hearing, the Medical Practitioners Tribunal Service panel heard how Dr Rahman, a Junior Doctor at Hammersmith Hospital, displayed ‘sub-standard’ applied knowledge and work ethic.
From various accounts, the panel heard how Dr Rahman, who was diagnosed as an alcoholic, frequently came into work looking ‘dishevelled’ and smelling of alcohol.
Today, the council has made the decision to grant Dr Rahman’s restorative application.
“The panel has considered the events which led to your erasure in the light of how matters now stand, eight years later,” the panel said.
“As regards your misconduct, the panel has noted that you have now displayed insight into the events outlined above and further notes that your misconduct and deficient professional performance occurred at a time when you were dependent on alcohol.
“Since these events you have addressed your alcohol dependency and have remained abstinent since 2007.”
In August 2007, Dr Rahman was admitted to the Royal Free Hospital with seizures and was diagnosed with acute bacterial meningitis.
He subsequently suffered a cardiac arrest and was in a coma for several weeks.
Dr Rahman stated that he had not consumed alcohol since his coma and has been left physically disabled by the events.
The panel said they were satisfied that his deficient professional performance and misconduct coincided with his dependence on alcohol.
“The panel is of the opinion that you now have full insight into and are remorseful for your actions so has concluded it is unlikely that you will repeat your misconduct or pose any risk to patients in the future,” the panel added.
They were also satisfied that Dr Rahman has kept up-to date with medical advances in the years since being erased from the register.
They heard how Dr Rahman has undertaken various studies since his erasure and has attained a diploma and a degree in law, an MBA, completed the Legal Practice Course and secured student enrolment with the SRA.
He has co-authored three textbooks on passing the Magnetic Resonance Cholangiopancreatography (MRCP) and written a textbook on dementia.
Dr Rahman has also made a number of presentations at meetings of learned societies.
“The panel notes that you have not practised medicine for eight years,” the panel said.
“However, you have kept your medical knowledge up to date as is evidenced by your medical writing and you are aware that given your status as a trainee at the time of erasure you will require further training.
“The panel is satisfied that you can retrain, especially in public health, and that in all the circumstances, it is appropriate for your name to be restored to the register.”
Main image courtesy of Flux One 20 and inset image courtesy of Shibley Rahman, via YouTube, with thanks
