'Predatory' doctor returns to medicine

Dec 6 2012 by Julie Gilbert, Hamilton Advertiser

A “predatory” doctor who touched-up junior nurses while working at Wishaw General Hospital, is being allowed to return to medicine.

Dr Satpal Singh Jabbal was suspended from practicing for nine months earlier this year after going before a Fitness to Practice Hearing.

But the Medical Practitioners Tribunal Service decided he could return to practicing unrestricted once his period of suspension runs out on December 28.

One nurse had told the Fitness to Practice Panel how Dr Satpal Sing Jabbal touched her bottom when she was attending a vulnerable patient, apparently finding it amusing that she was unable to move.

And another explained how he grabbed her breasts and pulled her out of a chair.

At the review hearing Dr Jabbal convinced the panel he had changed his ways. He told them he had been attending anger management and yoga classes, and said he would not repeat his misconduct.

Although his predatory behaviour had been directed towards staff and not patients, the original hearing did take the view that his actions carried a risk to patient safety.

Jabbal was also found guilty of dishonesty and misleading an interview panel about why he was dismissed from Wishaw when applying for a job in Hereford, England. The misconduct at Wishaw took place between 2001 and 2007, and Jabbal was sacked from the hospital in 2009.

The women involved explained to the hearing in February the affect that his behaviour had on them.

One said: “I was embarrassed I had let a man other than my fiancé touch me. I felt Doctor Jabbal had a predatory nature towards me, singling me out and grooming me to accept the continuous harassment.”

But last week the panel took the view that Dr Jabbal showed insight into the seriousness of his behaviour and decided his fitness to practice was no longer impaired by misconduct.

They also considered testimonials from professional colleagues, which stated he had “learned his lesson”.