Doctor accused of molesting patient

It is never appropriate for a doctor to bring a patient to his residential area within a hospital, and to do so amounts to professional misconduct, a Medical Council Fitness to Practise Committee has been told.

Anaesthetist Dr Hossam Desoky (47) is accused of kissing, sexually molesting and bringing a patient to his residential areas on July 13th, 2010, when she was admitted for a colonoscopy.

Dr Hossam Desoky, who is from Egypt, denies 10 charges of acting inappropriately towards  Teri Chamberlain at the hospital where he had worked since 2008.

This morning expert witness Anna-Maria Rollin, a consultant anaesthetist with Epsom General Hospital in the UK, said the accusations against Dr Desoky, if proven, would amount to professional misconduct.

Referring to allegations that Dr Desoky had kissed his patient, Dr Rollin said "kissing is an intimate act. I would regard it as professional misconduct".

In relation to allegations that Dr Desoky had touched Ms Chamberlain's breasts in an inappropriate fashion while carrying our an examination, Dr Rollin said if the examination had taken place as described, the style of touching was inappropriate and unnecessary.

In relation to allegations that Dr Desoky made an inappropriate phone call to Ms Chamberlain, Dr Rollin said if the phone call was made to advance a personal relationship: "I would regard it as professional misconduct."

Dr Rollin told Jack Hickey BL for Dr Desoky she believed it was never appropriate for a patient to be in a doctor's hospital residence –"effectively a bedroom", she added.

In her evidence, Ms Chamberlain said the doctor told her he had a cure for her smoking habit and led her to his residence, which was on another floor of the hospital. Ms Chamberlain alleged Dr Desoky locked the door behind them and tried to push her down on to a bed, kissed her and she screamed. She claimed he then unlocked the door and left.

Mr Hickey put it to Dr Rollin that it would be Dr Desoky's evidence that she followed him to his room when he went to get a coat, they had talked in his room, and he had then kissed her on the cheek as they left.

"Frankly, doctors do not kiss patients in any circumstances," Dr Rollin said.

The hearing continues.