Surgeon Suspended After Attending Work Intoxicated, Citing Strike-Related Stress

Authorities suspended surgical registrar Dr Vivek Vatikutti for nine months after he attended a shift under the influence of alcohol on 22 September 2023. The case has ignited a widespread debate on NHS workforce stress and the compounding impact of industrial action.

Dr Vatikutti, working in Warrington and Halton Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, told the Medical Practitioners’ Tribunal Service (MPTS) that stress and exhaustion from covering shifts during junior doctors’ strikes contributed to his heavy drinking the night before. The tribunal heard that Dr Vatikutti consumed up to two-thirds of a 750 ml bottle of vodka prior to his shift. He arrived at handover with alcohol on his breath, prompting colleagues to raise the alarm.

While Dr Vatikutti insisted he was not impaired, the MPTS concluded his condition posed a “real risk to patient safety.” The tribunal deemed his actions very serious misconduct, noting a lack of insight into the risks posed to patients, colleagues, and the profession's reputation. Despite having a previously unblemished career, Dr Vatikutti received a nine-month suspension. Professional regulators, including the General Medical Council (GMC), emphasise that patient safety is paramount and clinicians must always meet professional standards, regardless of external pressures.

The case has resonated across the NHS because the surgeon explicitly linked his behaviour to workforce pressures exacerbated by industrial action. Health leaders have consistently warned that prolonged industrial action, especially during periods of high demand like the current winter with surging flu hospitalisations and record winter demand, places extreme stress on remaining staff who must cover extensive additional duties. For instance, junior doctors in England recently embarked on another five-day strike in December 2025 over pay and conditions.

While the stress explanation does not excuse the misconduct, the incident has reignited critical conversations about mental health, workplace culture, and clinician wellbeing. A 2024 survey of NHS doctors separately highlighted systemic issues, reporting that lengthy disciplinary processes and general workplace pressures caused many clinicians to experience anxiety, depression, or exhaustion.

The Vatikutti case serves as a stark reminder of the multifaceted pressures on NHS staff in 2025, where operational strain, industrial disputes, and seasonal surges contribute to an environment where wellbeing risks can have severe professional and safety consequences.