A doctor who managed to avoid a custodial sentence after he was caught dangerously driving his BMW while high on cocaine has been told he can keep his license and continue practising medicine.

On November 4 2019, at Burnley Crown Court, Dr Faisal Nawaz was sentenced for one count of dangerous driving, and two counts of driving a motor vehicle with the proportion of a specified controlled drug (cocaine and benzoylecgonine) above the specified limit. 

The 27-year-old, who is currently undertaking an approved General Medical Council postgraduate training programme with Health Education North West, and is registered as a doctor in Blackburn with Darwen, was sentenced to seven months in prison suspended for 12 months, 100hrs of community unpaid work, 10 days of rehabilitation activity requirement and was disqualified from driving for 24 months.

As a result of his conviction, he was ordered by the Medical Practitioners Tribunal, to attend a hearing on April 6 this year to assess whether he was fit to continue practising as a doctor.

During the three day hearing in Manchester, the tribunal came to the conclusion that Nawaz’s fitness to practise was 'impaired' by his conviction, and determined to impose a 12-month period of conditions on his registration - meaning he will still be allowed to practise as a doctor in the borough, but can only do so providing the conditions are met.

Colin Chapman, chair of the tribunal said: "By reason of the matters set out in this tribunal, your fitness to practise is impaired because of your convictions and subsequent sentencing."

The conditions placed upon his registration include but are not limited to; having a workplace reporter appointed to him; getting the approval of his GMC adviser before accepting any post; and getting approval of the GMC before working in a non-NHS post or setting.

In addition, he must not work as a locum and must be supervised in all of his posts by a clinical supervisor,

The tribunal, which was heard in front of a panel of three people, including one medical professional and one legal professional, also directed that a review hearing should take place, and imposed an immediate order of conditions to cover the 28-day period in which Nawaz can appeal the decision. 

According to court records, in February 2019, Nawaz, of Reedley, drove his car dangerously on several roads in Colne, before being drug tested by the police and found to have excess amounts of cocaine in his blood.