A Kent-based GP has been denied permission to return to medical practice after the General Medical Council (GMC) raised serious concerns about his fitness to practise medicine.
Dr Arjun Sivakumar, who previously worked in the Maidstone area, had his application to resume practice rejected by the Medical Practitioners Tribunal Service following a thorough review of his case.
Background of the Case
The Cambridge University graduate had been suspended from the medical register in February 2022 after a tribunal found multiple deficiencies in his professional practice. The initial suspension came after concerns were raised about his clinical competence and decision-making abilities.
During the recent hearing, the tribunal heard that Dr Sivakumar had attempted to address the issues that led to his original suspension. However, the GMC maintained that significant concerns remained about his ability to practise safely.
GMC's Position
The General Medical Council argued strongly against reinstating Dr Sivakumar's registration, citing ongoing worries about patient safety. A spokesperson for the regulatory body emphasised that protecting the public remains their primary concern when considering such applications.
"The tribunal agreed with our assessment that Dr Sivakumar's return to practice would pose an unacceptable risk to patient safety," the GMC representative stated.
Previous Tribunal Findings
Original hearings had revealed several areas of concern in Dr Sivakumar's practice, including:
- Inadequate patient assessment procedures
- Poor clinical decision-making
- Failure to maintain proper medical records
- Communication issues with patients and colleagues
The Medical Practitioners Tribunal Service had initially imposed conditions on his registration before determining that suspension was necessary.
Future Prospects
While Dr Sivakumar may reapply for restoration to the medical register in the future, he would need to demonstrate significant improvement in his clinical abilities and provide compelling evidence of his fitness to practise.
The case highlights the rigorous standards maintained by the GMC in ensuring that only fully competent practitioners are permitted to treat patients within the UK healthcare system.
