Indian cancer expert banned from practicing in UK: ‘I will never work in that country again’

An Indian-origin cancer specialist has been struck off the UK medical register after a court ruled his criminal conviction made him a risk to the public, meaning he can no longer practice medicine in the UK, a sanction more severe than simply being sacked.Shamir Chandran, an oncologist who formerly worked at a Newcastle hospital, was sentenced to four years in prison in November for two counts of controlling and coercive behavior and one count of cruelty to a child under 16.The Medical Practitioners Tribunal Service (MPTS) has now ordered his name to be removed from the medical register, the BBC reported.According to the BBC, Chandran did not attend his criminal trial at Carlisle Crown Court and did not take part in the disciplinary proceedings. Reports say he has fled the UK and has an outstanding warrant for his arrest. Cumbria Police confirmed he was wanted.The court described the offenses as serious and said they involved repeated actions targeting vulnerable people.“It targets those who are vulnerable and involves an element of premeditation – seeking financial gain [his victim] through intimidation,” the report said.The MPTS also found that Chandran had shown no understanding of the seriousness of his actions and their impact: “The court found that he presented a real risk of harming others in the future.”The court said allowing him to continue practicing medicine would seriously damage public confidence in the profession.Emails included in court documents show that Chandran criticized his treatment in the UK and said his medical career had been ruined.“I no longer care about the proceedings as my career has been ruined,” he wrote to the General Medical Council (GMC).“I am absolutely disgusted by the way I was treated in the UK and I will never work in that country again. They treated me like a common criminal and had no regard for the impact of what I said and what they did.”Court documents also reveal that Chandran resigned from the NHS and left the UK after the GMC took action against him.“As a result of the GMC’s actions I have had to quit my job and leave the UK. I don’t know how I can now help with these proceedings as I am currently unemployed,” he said in another email.Chandran received his MBBS degree from the College of Medical Sciences, University of Calicut, Pariaram, Kerala. He later told the GMC he no longer wished to continue working in oncology and began working with a friend in the private sector while rebuilding his life.However, the court said there was no evidence he had accepted responsibility or taken steps to correct his behaviour.