Doctor 'touched patient's breasts'

A gynaecologist squeezed the breasts of a patient and asked her about her sex life, the General Medical Council (GMC) has heard.

Dr Said Arzhangi, from London, faces charges of serious professional misconduct while working as a locum registrar in obstetrics and gynaecology at hospitals in Taunton, Somerset and Maidstone, Kent.

He denies the charges relating to four incidents alleged to have taken place in 2001.

The GMC's professional conduct committee hearing was told that Dr Arzhangi had allegedly examined patient A's breasts without her consent, or offering her a proper explanation.

Dr Arzhangi is also said to have twice touched a patient inappropriately during an internal examination, Tom Kark, solicitor for the GMC told the hearing.

'Strange comment'

He said that on two occasions Dr Arzhangi had allegedly touched the breasts of patients while examining them in a manner which was "not to clinical advantage".

Patient A, a 46-year-old self-employed child-minder, had been expecting to see another consultant about a pain in her abdomen at Taunton and Somerset Hospital in Musgrove Park.

She said the doctor told her she would not be having a scan as she expected, and asked her if she had any breast lumps.

She replied that she did not, but Dr Arzhangi said he would check anyway. Patient A said the doctor then touched her breasts through her clothing.

'Uncomfortable'

She said the doctor went on to ask her about her late husband's death and when she had last had sex.

Patient A told him it was at Christmas when her boyfriend was visiting from America.

She told the hearing the doctor said that was a long time ago but that it must be difficult to have sex over the e-mail.

She added: "It seemed a strange comment for a doctor to make. It made me feel uncomfortable."

The hearing continues.