Doctor accused of examining patients with blood-stained gloves

A doctor has been accused of examining patients with blood-stained gloves.

Dr Syeda Siddiqui is due to face a misconduct tribunal after being investigated by the General Medical Council (GMC), which regulates the register of doctors able to practise in the UK.

Dr Siddiqui is alleged to have examined two patients on 7 August 2024 at the Community Health and Eyecare Ltd Clinic (CHEC) in Warrington, Cheshire, with non-sterile gloves contaminated with the blood of a previous patient.

She also faces a similar allegation that she examined a patient at CHEC's Stockport clinic on 10 December 2024 with non-sterile, contaminated gloves.

Dr Siddiqui had been carrying out "minor operations" on other patients prior to the incidents outlined.

The GMC also alleged that Dr Siddiqui, who qualified from the University of Manchester in 1984, collected used, non-sterile equipment to take home.

A notice of the hearing stated the doctor claimed that it was "normal practice" at another CHEC branch when she knew that was untrue.

She is also accused of dishonesty by claiming the second incident was an "isolated incident" after she was challenged.

Dr Siddiqui, who specialises in ophthalmology and is registered with the Royal College of Surgeons and Royal College of Physicians, has been placed under conditions of practice while her case in pending.

Those conditions include a prohibition on carrying out any surgical procedure - other than life threatening emergencies - unless she is directly supervised.

The misconduct hearing is due to begin on 19 October and is estimated to last until 2 November.

Listen to the best of BBC Radio Manchester on Sounds and follow BBC Manchester on Facebook, X, and Instagram. You can also send story ideas via Whatsapp to 0808 100 2230.