Isle Of Wight Doctor Who Repeatedly Harassed Colleagues Is Suspended

An Isle of Wight doctor who climbed through a female colleague’s window at night and restrained her in her bed has been suspended.

A tribunal heard that Dr Arruran Sivakumar repeatedly harassed another doctor - known as Dr A (for legal reasons) - between 2013 and 2016, before going on to harass another colleague.

The hearing was also told that he was emotionally and verbally abusive, also becoming angry at times if she did not want to see him, according to the Daily Post.

The Medical Practitioners Tribunal Service heard Dr Sivakumar, who is currently training to be a surgeon, became jealous after his relationship with a fellow doctor ended.

On one occasion, Dr Sivakumar climbed though Dr A’s bedroom window in the night, held her hands together while she lay in bed and then refused to let her to get out of bed. He was also physically abusive towards her both in public and in private on other occasions, the hearing was told.

The tribunal heard he pushed her to the ground, pushed her up against a wall, pinned her arms by her sides and grabbed her hands, also causing bruising.

The hearing was also told that he was emotionally and verbally abusive, becoming angry if she spoke to male friends and if she did not want to see him.

The tribunal heard how Dr Sivakumar said "everyone hates you, but I still have your back" to Dr A. His behaviour was deemed to be emotionally abusive and manipulative. 

He continued to harass her for 18 months, despite receiving a warning letter from Dr A’s lawyers telling him to stop all contact with her.

The tribunal heard Dr Sivakumar’s actions were driven by jealousy, immaturity and alcohol.

According to the Daily Post, Dr Sivakumar also harassed another female colleague, referred to as Dr B, between 2017 and 2018, after she told him she did not want to be in a relationship with him.

It's understood Dr Sivakumar started working on the Isle of Wight in 2017.

The tribunal heard he repeatedly messaged Dr B – who was junior to him - even though she had told him not to contact her on several occasions.

The tribunal said: “Dr Sivakumar used threatening language to Dr B, such as: ‘If someone bites, I’ll bite harder,’ and unkind remarks such as ‘I have everything, you have nothing’ or ‘you will never get to where I am.’

“This was inappropriate and undermining.”

Dr Sivakumar’s lawyer told the tribunal his misconduct stemmed from his previous immaturity and was an ‘inappropriate’ response to rejection at the time. The tribunal heard Dr Sivakumar’s actions were driven by jealousy, immaturity and alcohol.

The tribunal heard he had since received a Rising Surgical Star and Junior Doctor Award as well as letters of appreciation from senior colleagues, including one for acting up as registrar when working at Southampton University Hospital.

Referring to the incidents involving Dr B, a spokesperson for Isle of Wight NHS Trust, said:

“We take all reports of bullying or harassment extremely seriously and encourage our colleagues to speak up if they see or experience anything that falls short of the standards we expect or the values we share.

“Swift safeguarding action was taken in respect of this individual once an allegation was made, an investigation was undertaken, and information was shared promptly with the appropriate authorities.”

The tribunal decided not to strike Dr Sivakumar off, but instead suspended him for nine months.