A disturbing case of medical misconduct has emerged from the United Kingdom, where Indian-origin consultant gynaecologist Dr Premila Thampi has been suspended for serious professional misconduct. The incident, which took place at Milton Keynes University Hospital in Eaglestone in October 2016, involved a traumatic childbirth experience for a first-time mother.
The patient, who had a neuromuscular condition and had requested a caesarean section, claimed she was pressured into an instrumental delivery involving forceps against her clear wishes. The case has resurfaced after the Medical Practitioners Tribunal Service (MPTS) in Manchester found Dr Thampi guilty of misconduct and imposed a three-week suspension.
Ignored Consent: Mother’s Request for Caesarean Denied
The mother at the centre of the case had made it explicitly clear upon her arrival at the hospital that she wished to undergo a C-section. Her decision was rooted in her medical condition and a desire to avoid complications. However, despite her well-articulated request, Dr Premila Thampi reportedly dismissed the possibility of a surgical birth and instead pushed for a vaginal delivery with the use of forceps.
Forceps, a medical tool resembling a pair of large tongs, are sometimes used to guide the baby out during a difficult delivery. But they are also associated with certain risks, including injury to the baby’s head or face, which is why patients are often consulted and asked for consent before their use. In this case, the mother claims that Premila Thampi failed to respect her autonomy and ignored her repeated refusals to undergo a forceps delivery.
“She just marched into the room to ask me if I was ready for an instrumental delivery and then marched back out again,” the mother recalled. She further claimed that Dr Thampi did not explain what an instrumental delivery involved and failed to inform her of the associated risks.
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“I verbalised to Dr Thampi that I was against the use of forceps,” she added. Despite her protests, Dr Thampi allegedly continued to pressure her, stating, “You need to let me do this as I don’t know what is going to happen to your baby. You are putting your own baby at risk.”
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Ultimately, feeling helpless and concerned for her baby’s wellbeing, the mother agreed to the procedure under duress. However, her distress was evident when she shouted, “I hate you, you haven’t listened,” as the forceps were applied. Following the birth, the baby was reportedly left with injuries to the head and face, and the mother was left emotionally traumatised.
Tribunal Verdict: Thampi’s Conduct Found “Serious”
The incident finally reached the Medical Practitioners Tribunal Service in Manchester, where Dr Thampi was formally investigated for her conduct. The tribunal heard details of how the gynaecologist failed to obtain proper informed consent from the patient and instead coerced her into accepting a form of delivery she had already declined.
The patient testified about the pressure and lack of empathy she experienced during what should have been one of the most important moments of her life. According to reports, Dr Thampi attempted to defend her actions by claiming that the situation had progressed to a point where a C-section was no longer a safe option.
She argued that in her clinical judgement, the baby’s wellbeing required an immediate instrumental delivery. However, the tribunal found that she had ample time earlier during the patient’s admission to consider the patient’s preferences and take appropriate action, which she failed to do.
The tribunal panel described Premila Thampi’s actions as “serious professional misconduct.” They concluded that her conduct fell far short of the standards expected from a senior medical professional. Furthermore, the panel noted that her communication with the patient was abrupt and lacked the sensitivity required in such emotionally charged situations.
While the tribunal acknowledged that Dr Thampi’s actions were not malicious, they ruled that her behaviour demonstrated a serious lapse in professional judgment and an unacceptable disregard for patient autonomy. As a result, she was handed a suspension of three weeks from medical practice.
The ruling has drawn mixed reactions, with some questioning whether the penalty was proportionate to the emotional and physical trauma endured by the patient and her child. Others believe that the suspension serves as a wake-up call for medical practitioners about the importance of respecting patient consent and ensuring clear, compassionate communication in critical care situations.
Trauma and Aftermath: A Mother’s Lasting Ordeal
For the mother involved, the traumatic birth experience has had long-lasting repercussions. Not only did she suffer emotional distress, but she also expressed concern about the injuries her newborn sustained during the forceps delivery. The memory of being coerced during labour and being ignored at a vulnerable moment has deeply affected her.
She has publicly voiced her dissatisfaction with how the situation was handled, both during the birth and in the subsequent years. “I felt powerless. I had made my decision clear, but no one listened,” she said in statements that later surfaced in the media. “Birth is supposed to be a moment of joy. For me, it became a memory of fear and regret.”
The mother’s neuromuscular condition, which contributed to her request for a C-section, was also not fully factored into the clinical decision-making process, according to her account. This raises further questions about how medical professionals weigh patient conditions against clinical urgency and whether adequate time is given for thorough discussions in fast-paced hospital environments.
The case has ignited broader debate within the UK’s medical community about informed consent, especially in obstetrics. Advocacy groups supporting women’s rights in childbirth have cited the case as an example of what can go wrong when medical authority overrides patient autonomy. Many argue that the case highlights systemic issues in maternity care, where patients — especially women from minority backgrounds — may not always feel heard or respected.
In response to the incident, Milton Keynes University Hospital has reportedly reviewed its procedures for obtaining informed consent during labour. The hospital has emphasised the importance of clear communication, respect for patient choices, and multidisciplinary discussions in complex cases.
Though Dr Thampi has since offered her perspective — suggesting that the patient only expressed resistance to forceps too late into the labour process — the tribunal made it clear that communication breakdowns of this nature are not acceptable. The importance of early dialogue and proper documentation of patient preferences cannot be understated in such sensitive cases.
Meanwhile, for Premila Thampi, the three-week suspension may seem minimal in comparison to the magnitude of trust broken between patient and physician. While she may return to her medical duties after the suspension, the incident will likely remain a blemish on her professional record.
The case serves as a potent reminder that in modern medicine, even the most experienced doctors are accountable for respecting the rights and voices of their patients. For new mothers, particularly those navigating complicated medical conditions or cultural sensitivities, being listened to is not just a courtesy — it’s a necessity.
As maternity care continues to evolve in the UK and around the world, this incident underscores the need for healthcare providers to revisit protocols around consent, communication, and patient-centred care. Whether it leads to broader reforms remains to be seen, but the story of one mother’s trauma has already sparked a conversation that the medical community can no longer afford to ignore.