A doctor who removed the ovaries of two women without their consent has been deemed ‘fit to practise’ by a medical tribunal.
Dr Ali Shokouh-Amiri, who admitted to the unauthorised removal of ovaries while working at a hospital in Guernsey, has been permitted to continue his medical career but received a formal warning.
He is now working as a consultant gynaecologist at Southend University Hospital, part of the Mid and South Essex NHS Foundation Trust.
Allegations and proven misconduct
During a Medical Practitioners Tribunal Service (MPTS) hearing, Dr Shokouh-Amiri faced over 100 allegations of inappropriate behaviour, with 24 instances proven. The 24 proven instances included:
- Removing the ovaries of Patient C and Patient D without consent, with no clinical justification for Patient D’s ovary removal
- Touching Patient D’s clitoris
- Kissing and hugging Patient F on two occasions
- Rubbing or touching Patient A’s leg
- Performing multiple intimate examinations without a chaperone present
The allegations involved six patients under his care during his time as a partner at the Medical Specialist Group (MSG) in Guernsey from 2016 to 2019.
One patient told the tribunal that the removal of her left ovary without consent had “ruined her life”, while another patient said she believed the removal of her ovaries was deliberate and had prematurely brought on menopause.
Despite the emotional impact on his patients, the MPTS concluded that Dr Shokouh-Amiri’s “fitness to practise is not impaired”, citing his remorse and efforts to improve his professional conduct.
Tribunal findings and ruling
The tribunal determined that Dr Shokouh-Amiri had “shown good insight into his failures” and had implemented “procedures and actions to address his failings to ensure they do not happen again”. It noted he had completed a course on professional boundaries and received “extensive testimonials” that highlighted his clinical excellence and otherwise unblemished career.
The tribunal concluded that there was a “low risk of Dr Shokouh-Amiri putting patients at a risk of unwarranted harm” and issued him a warning, allowing him to continue his medical career.
Dr Shokouh-Amiri said in evidence that he had been friendly with his patients but in a non-sexual way. He said he “was offering compassion and support… to provide comfort and reassurance”.
A controversial decision
The tribunal acknowledged that “Dr Shokouh-Amiri’s misconduct was serious and had the potential to affect public confidence in the profession”. However, it argued that his insight, remorse, and cooperation with the General Medical Council (GMC) regulatory process justified its decision.
The written judgment stated:
“The Tribunal reminded itself of the significant level of insight, remorse, and remediation demonstrated by Dr Shokouh-Amiri and his acceptance of responsibility from the outset of the regulatory process. He fully engaged and participated with the GMC procedures since the start.”
Statement from Hospital Trust
Christine Blanshard, Chief Medical Officer at Mid and South Essex NHS Foundation Trust, said: “Dr Shokouh-Amiri has undergone a full tribunal hearing regarding historical allegations from his time at another hospital. Following this independent process, the tribunal concluded that he remains fit to practise. He continues to work at Southend Hospital in accordance with the terms of his registration. We have full confidence in his ability to provide safe, high-quality care to our patients.”
Southend Hospital say that the tribunal has made a clear determination on his fitness to practise, and that he remains fully registered and licensed.
The hospital Trust says it remains committed to transparency, upholding professional standards, and ensuring the highest quality of patient care.
It adds: “Dr Shokouh-Amiri’s position has been reviewed through the appropriate legal and professional channels, and he continues to be a valued member of our clinical team.”
Background and current role
Dr Shokouh-Amiri qualified as a doctor in January 2005. He worked with the Medical Specialist Group in Guernsey from October 2016 to August 2019, leaving the partnership in 2019 and not seeing patients in Guernsey since January 2019. He is now practising as a consultant gynaecologist at Southend University Hospital.
Unbelievable. Should have gone to prison but they are keeping him on as a doctor?!!! The mind boggles.
He’s only remorseful because he got caught. Absolutely disgusting that he still allowed to practice. Should have been struck off, not employed by another hospital . The only employment he should get is HMP services.
This predator needs to be in JAIL! And should never be allowed to work in a hospital again, never mind in gynecology! These procedures are traumatic enough for women to go through under normal circumstances, never mind being done by a predator who is touching and operating on them inappropriately without their consent! This behavior cannot be excused.
Omg that’s outrageous. He should of been sent to prison for sexual assault as far as I’m concerned.
He’s allowed to still practice despite being a sexual predator on more than one occasion as well as blatant malpractice and yet if someone said something derogatory about him on social media, those people would be jailed! That is the UK today.
How can anyone accidentally remove ovaries? It was deliberate!
Disgusting never will I be bringing myself or my kids hospital again going private here on out and I don’t care what I gotta save for my kids to have that.
Sorry to say that Dr Ian Paterson (who was operating unnecessarily on women’s breasts for kicks, as well as failing to remove cancerous tissue because he thought it was better for women to have a cleavage than to be cancer free) was working in private practice at the time (as well as NHS). Fortunately though, he was struck off (eventually), but going private doesn’t guarantee anything…
Most of the time it is the same nhs consultant in the private hospitals
I’d love to know what would have happened if he’d removed a man’s testes without consent. I sincerely hope both women have had substantial compensation for their loss. I would NEVERallow him to treat me.
Where is the petition to get him removed it’s absolutely disgusting
https://www.change.org/p/revoke-the-medical-license-of-dr-shokouh-amiri-for-ethical-violations
Dr. Ali Shokouh Amiri has always been a beacon of kindness, professionalism, and dedication to his patients. His success is a testament to his hard work and genuine care for others. It’s disheartening to see people trying to bring him down when all he’s done is make a positive impact on so many lives. In London, most of the members of our church, including us, are his patients, and we continue to recommend him to each other because we trust him wholeheartedly. Let’s stand by those who make a difference and continue to support Dr. [Name] in his mission to heal and help. The truth always prevails, and we know the kind of person he truly is. Keep shining, doctor Ali
You’re clearly someone who isn’t a victim. Professionals don’t sexually assault their patients. You should be struck off as well if you’re going to try keep people like this in the nhs
I hope some doctor cuts off your healthy organs and throws them into the bin. Maybe then you can have empty for his patients.
“All he’s done is make a positive impact” what about the women who had to go through menopause unnecessarily? Who’ve lost their fertility and sense of self because he CHOSE to take it from them without consent? The women he ASSAULTED, on MULTIPLE occasions??? Do you think being traumatized from a doctor you’re meant to trust is a positive impact? What is wrong with you?
If he’d assaulted male patients and cut off their balls for no reason he would not be working! That’s a disgraceful outcome.
Some women said he treated them with respect! This could have been done to them or their young children without their knowledge under anesthetic!
I’m sure if he told a nurse to go and get something out of the room, she probably would have done it. You have fear and intimidation in many hospitals. Is there any safeguards nobody is left on their own to abuse/rape someone?
This doctor did an mva for my miscarriage last year. He missed a fibroid in the scan before the mva and kept scraping at it to remove it for over an hour. The procedure caused an infection and repeated removal of remnants leaving me traumatised and unwell for weeks. Negligence should also be added to the list against him!
It’s truly shocking that Dr Shokouh-Amiri, despite facing more than 100 allegations of inappropriate behaviour—24 of which have been substantiated—continues to work as a consultant gynaecologist at Southend University Hospital. How can such serious concerns be overlooked in our healthcare system?
If I was local if have a petition to have him removed. His exemplary career is not exemplary, clearly…if he’s done that. His regret is getting caught. If a man’s bit were taken away…he’d have been locked up
I met him in 2022 after being referred by my GP due to a suspicion of cancer. He requested an ultrasound, but I was going on holiday in two days and felt very anxious. To facilitate the diagnosis, he kindly offered to scan me himself, but I informed him that I didn’t feel comfortable.
Understanding my concerns, he went the extra mile to accommodate my needs and arranged for a female sonographer to see me as an additional patient. She was wonderful and performed the scan. During the procedure, he stayed outside the room, and as soon as it was finished, he came in to review the images.
His professionalism and bedside manner as a doctor were absolutely outstanding. I never felt uncomfortable with him, and thanks to his care and kindness, I was able to go on holiday with peace of mind. I will always be grateful for his support.
By the way, as the article states, hasn’t he been cleared of all accusations? If we doubt our justice system, then we might as well assume everyone is guilty, which would be unfair.
No. He really cut off healthy ovaries and threw them in the bin.
He’s had 24 substantiated, including removing ovaries of TWO separate women without consent. Clearly he realized by time he left that practice that he’d get caught if he continued blatantly assaulting women. He’s been cleared of the other 100s of possible cases and found guilty of TWENTY FOUR allegations of misconduct, done to SIX different women.