A senior doctor at Glan Clwyd Hospital in Bodelwyddan, Denbighshire has been issued a formal warning after a disciplinary tribunal found he acted inappropriately towards a student nurse. The incident, which took place in 2022, involved Dr Amit Goel, a registrar in trauma and orthopaedics, who put his arm around the waist of a student nurse and kissed her on the cheek without her consent. Despite the findings, Dr Goel has been allowed to continue practising medicine.
Dr Goel, who began his career at Glan Clwyd Hospital in 2010 after qualifying from a medical college in India, was accused of breaching professional boundaries with a student nurse under his supervision. According to testimony heard during the tribunal, the events unfolded over the course of two days. The nurse, who was still a student at the time but is now fully qualified, recalled that on the first day Dr Goel attempted to hold her hand during a casual conversation on the ward. She initially brushed off the behaviour, thinking it was just over-friendly.
The following day, the nurse reported a further escalation when Dr Goel offered to walk her to her car during her evening break. Once at her vehicle, she felt uncomfortable as he lingered and asked to join her inside. Succumbing to a sense of awkwardness, she allowed him to enter the car, where he reportedly tried multiple times to hold her hand. The nurse cut her break short to remove herself from the uncomfortable situation.
As both exited the car, Dr Goel is said to have wished her well and extended his arm for a hug. What followed was described by the nurse as a hug that quickly became inappropriate, with Dr Goel sliding his hand under her coat and around her waist, then kissing her on the cheek. She tried to distance herself, but Dr Goel continued to linger, making her feel increasingly uneasy.
Dr Goel, on his part, denied the allegations, stating that he only entered the nurse’s car to offer help after she sought his advice regarding a warning light on her dashboard. He claimed that their interaction ended with a mutual hug initiated by the student and that there was no attempt at kissing or inappropriate touching.
Colleagues provided testimony to the tribunal, noting that the student nurse appeared “shell-shocked” and visibly upset upon returning from her break. One nurse recalled that the student confided in her, expressing regret and blaming herself for allowing Dr Goel into her car. The emotional toll of the incident became a focal point during the proceedings, with the General Medical Council (GMC) underscoring the significant impact such misconduct could have, especially in the context of a clear power imbalance between an experienced doctor and a junior trainee.
After careful consideration, the tribunal panel stopped short of upholding claims of sexual harassment. However, they did conclude that Dr Goel had abused his senior position, breached professional boundaries, and acted without the student’s consent. Panel chairwoman Annie Hockaday highlighted the disparity in authority, stating, “The behaviour was inappropriate given that Dr Goel and the student nurse were practically strangers, and there was a significant difference in their seniority and experience.”
During the hearing, Dr Goel expressed remorse, acknowledging his actions had “crossed a professional boundary” and describing the incident as a “wake-up call”. His barrister, Catherine Stock, presented evidence that Dr Goel was well-regarded by colleagues and patients alike and pointed out that he had since completed two courses on professional boundaries.
The tribunal ultimately determined that Dr Goel’s actions were both “naïve and ill-judged” but found his behaviour to be remediable. Citing his commitment to improvement, they decided not to remove him from the medical register. Instead, Dr Goel received a formal warning which will remain on his record for two years.
The outcome of the hearing highlights the complexities of maintaining professional standards within the NHS, especially in environments where hierarchy and authority can leave junior staff vulnerable. The case serves as a reminder of the importance of upholding appropriate relationships in healthcare settings, not only to protect staff welfare but to maintain the trust of patients and colleagues.