Doctor who molested three patients struck off

A doctor who sexually assaulted three patients has been banned from practising.

Vijay Gaikwad was jailed for six years at Bolton Crown Court in September last year after being convicted of three counts of sexual assault.

The 45-year-old psychiatrist groped women's breasts during medical appointments at a practice in Wigan in 2019 and 2020.

The Medical Practitioners Tribunal Service (MPTS) has now ruled that Gaikwad, of St Catherine's Gardens, Lowton, should be immediately struck off.

The Manchester hearing was told that Gaikwad's sexual offending "occurred multiple times", which "increased the seriousness of this case".

The MPTS said the married doctor "acted in a predatory manner" and he had "no regard for the traumatic impact his behaviour may have on the individuals".

The tribunal said that was "particularly concerning as he was working within the mental health arena".

It was told that Gaikwad, who did not attend the disciplinary hearing, had not displayed any remorse for his actions and was only worried about jail and the consequences for his family.

After Gaikwad was jailed, the Crown Prosecution Service senior prosecutor Gill Petrovic said the doctor "abused" the trust put in him by his patients.

She added: "Gaikwad's sickening actions have had a profound impact on the women who came to him for help.

"One woman told police that she had self-harmed after this incident because it had upset her so much."

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