Women under care of doctor who removed two patients' ovaries without consent demand new surgeon

Dr Shokouh-Amiri is currently a consultant at Southend Hospital in Essex. Credit: X
Dr Shokouh-Amiri is currently a consultant at Southend Hospital in Essex. Credit: Dr Ali Shokouh-Amiri / X

Women under the care of a gynaecologist who was found to have twice removed patients' ovaries without consent have told ITV News they no longer want him as their doctor.

Dr Ali Shokouh-Amiri was deemed 'fit to practise' by a tribunal after he admitted 24 instances of inappropriate behaviour, out of more than 100 allegations.

They dated to 2017 and 2018 during his time at the Princess Elizabeth Hospital in Guernsey, where he worked as a consultant gynaecologist before starting at Southend Hospital in 2022.

The tribunal ruled he took out two patients' ovaries without their consent, he failed to have a chaperone present on multiple occasions while performing intimate examinations, and inappropriately communicated with one patient.

At least six women under Dr Shokouh-Amiri's care have told ITV News Anglia they have serious concerns about him being their doctor, with some already having contacted the hospital to demand a change.

Meanwhile, an online petition calling for his medical licence to be revoked has now gathered more than 7,000 signatures.

Erin Craig, who was under the care of Dr Shokouh-Amiri, has asked the hospital to change consultants. Credit: ITV News Anglia

Erin Craig was one of Dr Shokouh-Amiri's patients and said she had called the hospital asking to change consultants after hearing of the tribunal findings.

She told ITV News Anglia: "It's made me scared to have him as my doctor.

"I've said I don't want him as my doctor now but that's going to put me back on the waiting list to get another appointment."

Southend Hospital said it had "full confidence" in Dr Shokouh-Amiri to provide "safe, high-quality care to our patients" and asked patients with concerns to contact the hospital.

A spokesman said: “We understand the strength of feeling about this case and want to reassure women that we always have safeguarding procedures in place.

"Following this independent process, the tribunal concluded that he remains fit to practise. He continues to work at Southend Hospital in accordance with the terms of his registration.”

The tribunal heard Dr Shokouh-Amiri expressed considerable regret and had made a public apology.

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