A Greek doctor working in Thessaloniki has been handed a six-month suspension from medical practice for sexually harassing a British female colleague while the two worked together at University Hospital Coventry, according to a report by the Daily Mail. The Greek doctor reportedly embodied the very stereotype of the “Greek doctor” that younger generations have been working hard to leave behind.
Specifically, in his role as a senior clinical associate in Gastroenterology, he allegedly displayed an explicit photograph and video showing a sexual act in which he himself was a participant. The woman reportedly testified that he was smirking while it became apparent that she, too, had seen what was on the screen.
The other incidents
Two months prior to the video incident, the doctor allegedly put his arm around her and told her “I will have sex with you before I leave” — whether to Germany or Greece, she could not recall. In her complaint, the British colleague stated that he had told her he had slept with all the nurses at a previous hospital where he had worked, and had also spoken about his fondness for visiting museums dedicated to human sexuality. The case was reviewed by a medical disciplinary tribunal last month.
The Greek doctor reportedly spoke of feeling socially isolated following his move to the United Kingdom, acknowledging that he had failed to maintain appropriate professional boundaries. Regarding the embrace, he commented that “in Greece, that is simply how people greet each other.” The tribunal rejected this claim, noting that his conduct “went well beyond the boundaries of acceptable workplace behaviour, regardless of his cultural background or familiarity with the United Kingdom.” The doctor also reportedly admitted that there had been a sexual motivation behind his actions — consistent with the tribunal’s finding that he had been “testing the boundaries” of his colleague, with a view to pursuing a future romantic relationship. The ruling states that for 18 months, from January 2023 to September 2024, the British colleague was subjected to inappropriate behaviour. She testified that at first he seemed friendly and pleasant, but that he flirted with almost everyone.
The distress and the training courses
The doctor stated that he was shocked to learn that his behaviour had caused his colleague fear, anxiety, reluctance to come to work, and significant psychological distress. According to the ruling, he expressed deep remorse, saying it had “never been his intention to cause such upset.” He also noted that he had attended training courses on professional boundaries, sexual harassment, bullying, and the use of social media.
However, he claimed he could not recall exactly what had led him to show his colleague the explicit video and photograph, saying he had simply been browsing his phone while they were discussing various topics. The General Medical Council’s representative, Chloe Farley, argued that his inability to explain why he showed the material raises serious questions about whether he has truly grasped the gravity of his conduct.
A spokesperson for Coventry and Warwickshire Hospital stated that the doctor was immediately suspended once the allegations came to light and that the police were informed. The Daily Mail notes that the doctor himself declined to comment when approached about the case.
