Basildon doctor has six-month suspension order revoked by tribunal

Dr Nazia Soomro worked at Newham Hospital and Broomfield Hospitals in the Gynaecology and Obstetrics unit between May 2017 and August 2019.

During that period she also undertook locum shifts as Basildon Hospital.

But when Dr Soomro was rostered in for shifts which overlapped with one another in 2019 at Basildon and Newham University hospitals, she took on both roles when she was unable to complete both shifts or take sufficient rest between work.

Dr Soomro also worked four shifts at Basildon University Hospital whilst she was on sick leave from Newham University Hospital.

She was handed a six month suspension by the Medical Practitioners’ Tribunal Service earlier this year after they found her actions were dishonest and motivated by finacial gain.

But at a hearing earlier this month the panel ruled it will revoke her suspension as they judged her fitness to practice was not impaired.

As part of the hearing, the MPTS took evidence from five witnesses, including staff co-ordinators and rota co-ordinators, and considered Dr Soomro’s reflections diary and continuous development certificates she had received whilst she was suspended.

Lee Gledhill, representing Dr Soomro, said she “took the wrong path in dealing with the financial burdens of her difficult family circumstances” and “has developed full insight into her past shortcomings and has remedied them.”

He added the suspension had “decimated” her career and left her with an uncertain future.

The tribunal concluded Dr Soomro had fulfilled the requirements set out in January and appreciated she had undertaken significant remediation activity.

A closing paragraph of the hearing read: “[The tribunal] was satisfied that the purpose of the suspension had been fulfilled and she should be allowed to return to unrestricted practice.”

A spokesman confirmed Dr Nazia Soomro no longer works at the Mid and South Essex NHS Foundation Trust.