Surgeon 'threatened to stab nurse'

The incidents are alleged to have happened between 1994 and 2001

A neurosurgeon threatened to stab a nurse when she handed him the wrong blade during an operation, a disciplinary hearing has been told.

The General Medical Council (GMC) was told doctor Jan Jakubowski threatened staff nurse Beverley Pickwell while holding a scalpel near to her chest.

Dr Jakubowski, of Brincliffe, Sheffield, who denies making the threat, faces a number of accusations over incidents alleged to have taken place at the Royal Hallamshire Hospital.

At a professional conduct committee hearing on Monday Dr Jakubowski admitted slapping a female nurse on the bottom and making lewd comments in 2001.

'Considerable distress'

But the Polish-born surgeon denied groping a sister's breasts while fastening up her theatre gown.

He also denies disrupting a meeting in an aggressive manner, making inappropriate comments to theatre staff, and insensitive comments in front of a sick child's parents.

Opening the case for the GMC, Jeremy Roussak said staff nurse Pickwell was pinned up against the wall by scalpel wielding Dr Jakubowski at the end of the operation in 1994.

He said: "It caused her a considerable degree of distress."

The committee was also told that after observing a child in intensive care at Sheffield Children's Hospital, Dr Jakubowski said within earshot of the parents that her condition would never improve and it was pointless to perform surgery.

Mr Roussak added: "This distressed the parents because the true seriousness of the child's condition had not been made plain to them."

The incidents are all alleged to have taken place between 1994 and 2001.

The hearing continues.