A top neurosurgeon has been suspended after a medical tribunal found that he had sex with a vulnerable female patient and repeatedly gave her addictive painkillers without proper records or safeguards.Chirag Patel, a consultant at the University Hospital of Wales in Cardiff, was suspended for eight months after admitting an affair and sending explicit photographs to a patient, as well as prescribing controlled medicines including diazepam and an opioid-based drug. Patel first treated the woman, referred to as Patient A, in February 2019, when he underwent surgery to remove damaged spinal disc tissue. They later operated on him again in August 2019 and December 2021 and inserted a spinal cord stimulator in the third procedure.Shortly after the initial surgery, the doctor began a sexual relationship with the patient, which continued alongside his clinical involvement. He later described the situation as something he “bitterly regretted”.It came under scrutiny in 2023 after the relationship deteriorated. The patient reported the matter to police, who informed Cardiff and Vale University Health Board.Patel admitted to sexual intercourse and exchanging explicit images, and admitted to prescribing medications, including diazepam and morphine sulphate pills, to the patient.The tribunal said he had shown a “reckless disregard for patient safety”, noting that he continued to prescribe controlled medications after missing appointments and failed to properly document treatment decisions.Patel believed that the patient could expose their relationship, which he claims made him feel pressured and made him fear losing his career.He said: “I was afraid that if he did that I might lose the job I loved so much and had worked so hard to get. Given my expertise, if I was unable to work it would have a bad impact on other patients. With the benefit of hindsight I know I should still have ended the relationship and been honest with my employer. However, at the time I was nervous and unable to break it off – a decision I now deeply regret.”He also told the tribunal that the patient had previously demanded money and threatened to report him, claiming: “Patient A had previously demanded £11,000, which I didn’t have, so I offered him £5,000 from my savings instead.”Despite his defense arguing that the relationship was tainted by threats and blackmail, the tribunal found that Patel’s misconduct was persistent and a serious breach of professional standards.General Medical Council barrister Robin Kitching argued that the doctor should be removed, saying there was a risk of recidivism due to the lack of full information about his actions.However, the panel acknowledged that Patel had shown “genuine remorse, a high level of insight and substantial improvement”, reducing the risk of repeating his behaviour. It ruled that an eight-month suspension was necessary to mark the seriousness of the case and maintain public confidence.Cardiff and Vale University Health Board confirmed that Patel no longer works for the organisation.