An Indian doctor was suspended for six months after repeatedly calling her Pakistani Muslim colleague ‘Porky sausages’ in Hereford County Hospital.

A Medical Practitioners Tribunal heard Dr Colathor Eshwari had also accused her colleague at the hospital of filling a kettle with “dirty water”.

The incidents took place while they were staying in accommodation provided by Wye Valley NHS Trust in November 2019.

Dr Eshwari did not admit to any of the charges of which she was accused, but said she was sorry if she had inadvertently caused offense. The panel met between 27 February and 2 March.

Her colleague referred to as Dr A, told the members she arrived in Hereford from Pakistan in November 2019 as an international training fellow.

She added that during the meeting, Dr Eshwari muttered the phrase “porky sausages” more than once, which she took to be an insult. She termed that this was due to the “poor relationship” between Pakistan and India.

During the hearing, Dr Eshwari said she did not know and was not interested in where Dr A came from. She apologised ‘unreservedly’ for any ‘misconception’ that Dr A may have reached.

The Tribunal viewed Dr Eshwari’s action as ‘deplorable’ and serious misconduct.