Cardiff Neurosurgeon Chirag Patel Suspended Eight Months for Patient Relationship, Drug Prescriptions

A consultant neurosurgeon at University Hospital Wales in Cardiff, Chirag Patel, has been suspended for eight months by the Medical Practitioners Tribunal Service. The suspension follows a finding of misconduct concerning a sexual relationship with a patient and the undocumented prescription of opioid painkillers.

Tribunal records show Patel performed three surgical procedures on the patient between February 2019 and December 2021. A sexual relationship commenced shortly after the first operation, lasting six months.

However, the tribunal determined that a close relationship persisted, with Patel continuing to prescribe controlled medication until January 2023. Patel claimed the patient made threats to expose their relationship. He expressed