A SOUTHAMPTON doctor who operated a mobile children's circumcision service is accused of carrying out unhygienic procedures that left one youngster needing corrective surgery, a hearing has heard.

Dr Muhamed Siddiqui, who worked as a surgeon for University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust, faces a string of misconduct charges over allegations he rushed unhygienic procedures at the homes of four children outside hospital hours.

A fitness to practice hearing heard how one baby was left screaming in agony after his anaesthetic wore off in mid surgery and another in which a boy suffered a seizure.

The medic, who operated the private service away from his regular job in the city, stands accused by parents of not washing his hands prior to treatment and at times not wearing surgical gloves, failing to carry out proper examinations and not having proper resuscitation equipment including oxygen and airway equipment.

The hearing was told that when one boy suffered an adverse reaction to a local anaesthetic, the 49-year-old doctor did not realise what it was and failed to act immediately.

While the parents of another boy recalled Dr Siddiqui carried surgical materials in plastic carrier bags and used baby wipes and paper towels during the procedure.

The operation was such a poor standard he had to carry out another circumcision on the same child the following day, during which too much skin was removed, it was alleged.

Following complaints it also emerged he did not have valid insurance for each procedure and failed to register his service with the Care Quality Commission.

The allegations span a period from June 2012 until November 2013, during which time Dr Siddiqui was employed as a Clinical Fellow in paediatric surgery in Southampton. One of the boys was from the city.

He was initially suspended from his post and stopped carrying out the procedures and has since resigned from the NHS and surrendered his GMC registration.

But at the Medical Practitioners Tribunal Service, Dr Siddiqui said he was contemplating starting up his circumcision business again and he even asked the panel to adjourn the case so could earn money from the enterprise to fund his legal fees. The request was refused.

Male circumcision is classed as “consensual assault”, similar to tattooing, and anyone can legally carry it out. The practice is only available through the NHS if there are compelling medical reasons.

Healthcare workers usually have to be registered with the CQC if they want to perform home circumcisions but there is no legal requirement.

Counsel for the GMC Ben Fitzgerald said: “The GMC's case is that Mr Siddiqui's conduct in relation to the four patients fell below the standard required of a doctor carrying out procedures. There was a lack of care when carrying out procedures, a rush to get them done and a lack of appropriate regard and respect for the parents who engaged his services.

Representing himself, Siddiqui, of Southampton, admits carrying out the procedures but denies that his practices were unhygienic or inadequate in any way.

He said: “I've stopped doing circumcisions since I stopped getting correspondence from the CQC but I could. I do not need to register with the CQC when I'm suspended but I stopped it for numerous reasons.

“I still am not doing it but I know I can. I can restart doing circumcisions and can finance legal representation. I may start and finance the legal side of it.”

The hearing, expected to last up to four weeks, continues.