Medic used religion for ‘improper behaviour’

A doctor subject to a Medical Council inquiry was “always going to prayer” and “used his religion not to behave properly”, a colleague said.

The comments were contained in internal HSE correspondence and attributed to Dr Ibrahim Khir about his fellow Muslim doctor Saqib Ahmed, who faces eight allegations of professional misconduct and poor professional performance.

In the letter, which was read out during a fitness to practice inquiry, Dr Khir was quoted as telling a consultant he felt Dr Ahmed was betraying his faith.

“My impression is that Dr Ahmed sometimes used his religion not to behave properly,” Dr Khir was quoted as telling consultant oncologist Dr Linda Coate, who was the author of the letter.

Dr Khir gave evidence about the letter to the inquiry and under cross examination from Dr Ahmed, he said prayer should not be a reason for being late.

Dr Ahmed asked Dr Khir if prayer could be a reason for being late for work in Ireland to which Dr Khir replied that prayer could be timed around work.

The inquiry has already heard that Pakistani-born Dr Ahmed was described in internal HSE correspondence as being “radicalised” and had spoken in the hospital of his support for al-Qaeda.

Dr Ahmed worked as a registrar in the oncology clinic of University Hospital Limerick from July to November 2012, when he was placed on administrative leave. He faces eight allegations of professional misconduct and/or poor professional practice.

Dr Ahmed denies all of the allegations and is representing himself by telephone from Grand Rapids in the US where he now works.

The inquiry was told that Dr Ahmed’s demeanour towards one of his supervising consultants was “dismissive and defensive” when he was challenged as to why he failed to turn up for work for a number of hours on October 20, 2012.

Nurse manager Anne Marie Gilmartin said that at least eight phone calls and messages were left for Dr Ahmed before he responded.

Ms Gilmartin said on the day in question, Dr Ahmed was needed to conduct ward rounds and to attend to a cancer patient who had turned up to A&E.

Ms Gilmartin said she tried to contact Dr Ahmed on his mobile and paged him through the hospital’s system but neither attempt was successful.

When Dr Ahmed’s senior consultant Dr Linda Coate came to the ward, she was told of the issue and called Dr Ahmed directly on her personal phone, receiving a reply immediately.

Ms Gilmartin said Dr Ahmed came to the ward about 15 minutes later but was already a number of hours late for his ward round.

She said Dr Ahmed’s demeanour was dismissive of Dr Coate.

The inquiry has been adjourned until June when the hearing is set to resume.