A doctor in the UK scrubbed in and rendered his patient unconscious before ducking out for an illicit rendezvous with a nurse, a tribunal has heard.

Dr Suhail Anjum, a 44-year-old married consultant anaesthetist, was working at Tameside Hospital in Manchester on September 16 2023 when he asked a colleague to monitor an unconscious patient while he took a “comfort” break during a surgery, LBC reported.

Andrew Molloy, representing the General Medical Council, told the tribunal that Anjum made himself very comfortable indeed.

Molloy said another nurse entered an neighbouring theatre shortly afterward and found Anjum and a nurse (identified as Nurse C) “in a compromising position”.

“She described seeing Nurse C with her trousers around her knee area with her underwear on display and Dr Anjum was in the process of tying up the cord of his trousers,” Molloy said.

The shocked nurse quickly walked out, and Anjum returned to his patient. He had been gone for eight minutes.

Anjum, who returned to his native Pakistan after the incident, was appearing before the Medical Practitioners Tribunal Service to ask for permission to work in the UK again.

He admitted engaging in sexual activity with Nurse C and admitted his actions had the potential to put his patient at risk.

Molloy said that the patient came to no harm.

“It was quite shameful, to say the least. I only have myself to blame,” Anjum told the tribunal.

“I let down everybody, Not just my patient and myself but the trust and how it would look.

“I let down my colleagues who gave me a lot of respect.”

He blamed his behaviour on stress at home following the birth of youngest child in January 2023.

“Our daughter was born premature, with a very, very low birth weight,” he said.

“My wife had a very traumatic delivery, it was quite a stressful experience. We failed to connect as a couple during that time.

“It took a toll on my personal life, my mental health and wellbeing, and my work at the hospital.”

The hearing is set to continue.