UK Woman Accuses Indian-Origin Doctor Of Forcefully Using Forceps To Deliver Baby, Suspended

Last Updated:July 09, 2025, 10:08 IST

At the Medical Practitioners Tribunal Service (MPTS) in Manchester, Dr Thampi was found guilty of serious professional misconduct and suspended from practice for three weeks.

Indian-origin consultant gynaecologist has been suspended after being found guilty of serious professional misconduct. (Representative Image)

An Indian-origin consultant gynaecologist has been suspended for serious professional misconduct after pressuring a first-time mother into accepting the use of forceps during childbirth in Eaglestone, UK. The mother, who had requested a C-section, claimed that the doctor’s insistence on forceps left her traumatised and caused damage to her baby’s head.

Dr Premila Thampi, 62, from Mitcham, South London, reportedly “went on a bit of a warpath" upon realising that natural childbirth was not an option for the patient, according to the UK’s Daily Mail. The incident took place at Milton Keynes University Hospital in October 2016.

Despite the patient’s clear request for a C-section, Dr Thampi pressured her into agreeing to an instrumental delivery, citing her seniority to justify her decision.

Forceps are a medical tool resembling tongs, used during childbirth to help pull the baby out if the mother has difficulty pushing. Dr Thampi allegedly pressured the mother by saying, “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." The patient reluctantly agreed but shouted, “I hate you, you haven’t listened," as the forceps were applied.

The mother later claimed that the forceps caused injury to her baby’s head and face, leaving her traumatised by the birth.

At the Medical Practitioners Tribunal Service (MPTS) in Manchester, Dr Thampi was found guilty of serious professional misconduct and suspended from practice for three weeks.

The patient suffering from a neuromuscular condition stated that Dr Thampi checked on her after admission and suggested using forceps, which she clearly refused. “She just marched into the room to ask me if I was ready for an instrumental delivery and then marched back out again. Dr Thampi didn’t explain what an instrumental delivery involved. I knew about the use of suction and a ventouse, and I verbalised to Dr Thampi that I was against the use of forceps," the woman recalled.

Thampi clarified her stand and stated that the patient expressed her desire to avoid forceps only when, in her clinical judgement, it was too late to safely switch to a Caesarean section.

United Kingdom (UK)

News world UK Woman Accuses Indian-Origin Doctor Of Forcefully Using Forceps To Deliver Baby, Suspended