A GP has been struck off after continuing to work while suspended following misconduct involving a Muslim patient, a medical tribunal has ruled.
Dr Keith Wolverson had previously been suspended for nine months after repeatedly asking a woman to remove her niqab during a consultation in 2018, saying he was struggling to understand her.
The Medical Practitioners Tribunal Service heard that he asked the patient, referred to as Mrs Q, to remove her veil three times at Royal Stoke University Hospital. She initially refused on religious grounds but later complied.
The tribunal found his actions amounted to misconduct and that his later explanation, including claims about the patient English language ability, was dishonest.
Dr Wolverson was also found to have made critical remarks about the English skills of multiple patients in medical notes during the same period.
Despite being suspended in October 2022, the tribunal found he undertook locum work during that period, contrary to explicit instructions.
In its latest ruling, the tribunal said his actions demonstrated a “flagrant disregard for the regulatory process” and noted his failure to attend the hearing or engage with proceedings.
The panel also found there was a continuing risk of repetition and concerns over his lack of insight and remediation.
Emma Gilberthorpe, chair of the tribunal, said his prolonged absence from practice and failure to maintain his skills increased risks to patient safety and undermined public confidence.
She said: “The Tribunal concluded that any lesser sanction would fail to address the current and ongoing risk to public protection.”
Dr Wolverson had previously said he regretted his actions and had undertaken training in ethics and professional conduct, but the tribunal found insufficient evidence of meaningful reflection.
He has now been removed from the medical register.