A family doctor who was jailed for sexually assaulting three vulnerable patients has been struck off the medical register, meaning he can never work as a doctor again. Vijay Gaikwad, 45, a married father from Lowton in Wigan, was convicted last year and sentenced to six years in prison following a trial at Bolton Crown Court.
The Medical Practitioners' Tribunal Service (MPTS) dismissed an application from Gaikwad's wife to adjourn the case and ordered his name be erased from the General Medical Council (GMC) register. The tribunal noted that the assaults were against patients with mental health issues who had sought his help, and that he had abused his position in a predatory manner.
In its judgment, the tribunal stated: 'The doctor had no regard for the traumatic impact his behaviour may have on the individuals, which the Tribunal found to be particularly concerning as he was working within the mental health arena.' It added that Gaikwad's offending was 'very high on the spectrum of seriousness'.
The panel also highlighted that Gaikwad had shown 'no evidence of insight or remediation', continued to deny his crimes, and intended to appeal to the Criminal Cases Review Commission. The sentencing judge, Recorder Shafi KC, had previously remarked that Gaikwad showed no remorse and was 'obsessed only with the consequences of conviction and sentence for yourself'.
Gaikwad's wife had emailed the GMC requesting a postponement, describing him as a 'good father and best husband'. However, the tribunal rejected the application, concluding that erasure was the only appropriate sanction.
