I harassed women because of Britain’s open culture, says Egyptian NHS surgeon

An Egyptian-born surgeon who harassed two of his female colleagues for dates tried to blame his behavior on Britain’s ‘open culture’ of socialising.

Dr. Hosam Halim, 48, who worked at the Royal Free Hospital London and then Ipswich Hospital in Suffolk, was investigated by the General Medical Council after the incidents.

During a hearing at the tribunal, Halim claimed he had felt isolated and lonely after seeing his colleagues drinking in wine bars.

The hearing heard how Halim offered to braid a black woman’s hair, which he likened to a ‘brush’, and grabbed her striped identity badge, saying ‘ooh leopard print’ before putting his hands over his mouth to look into her face roar.

In another meeting, Halim told the woman that if she became his wife he “wouldn’t let her work” and offered to take her out for drinks.

A second woman said Halim followed her into an operating room for “almost a day” and promised he would be a “good husband” to her, adding: “Why are you single?” Why don’t you marry me? Do you live alone? Can I call you at night?’

A third colleague is said to have felt uncomfortable after being confronted by Halim in front of patients for wearing a rainbow-coloured lanyard around her neck during NHS services given to her by the British Medical Association.

Halim allegedly said to her: ‘Do you know what those colors represent? You’re not gay, right?

“You know it’s wrong to wear a lanyard that supports that. What the pride flag represents is wrong.

‘It is a sin to wear it. You have to take the cord off and I’ll give you another one to wear.”

She later said his behavior was intolerant towards people in the LGBTQ+ community.

When questioned about his behavior, Halim said he felt isolated and lonely and blamed the “open culture” of British socialization practices.

He told the tribunal that he had seen other colleagues drinking in wine bars and that he therefore considered it a ‘normal part of British culture’ for women to drink in public.

Christopher Rose, legal representative for the GMC, said: “Dr. Halim tries to give the impression that he was completely new to both Britain and the culture of working in the NHS.

“But he has been here since 2016 and it is difficult to imagine that he has not realized that his behavior is not the cultural norm.”

In his testimony, Halim apologized for his actions but said he meant no harm and acknowledged the “negative impact” his behavior might have had.

He claimed the meetings were a “misunderstanding of our dynamics” and that he came from a “friendly culture with few boundaries.”

At the Medical Practitioners Tribunal Service (MPTS) in Manchester, Halim was found guilty of serious professional misconduct, direct discrimination and sexual harassment.

The incidents took place between April 2021 and August 2022. He has now been suspended.

Catherine Moxon, President of MPTS, said: “Dr. Halim constantly tries to excuse his behavior by blaming the victim. He has claimed that if people had made him aware of his inappropriate behavior, he would have quit.

”At this time his issues are behavioral, while his understanding and recovery on most issues are still in their infancy. Currently he is inconsistent in terms of his personal responsibility.”