A doctor at University Hospital Coventry has been suspended for six months after showing a junior colleague an explicit video and making inappropriate advances.
Stavros Dimitriadis, a gastroenterologist, displayed a video of himself engaged in a sex act on his phone at a nurses' station in July 2023. The junior colleague, whose identity has not been disclosed, reported that Dimitriadis appeared to be smirking and unconcerned during the incident. The panel overseeing the case found his conduct to be sexually motivated and determined he was "testing the waters" for a potential relationship.
Approximately two months prior to the video incident, Dimitriadis reportedly put his arm around the same colleague and stated he intended to have sex with her before returning to either Germany or Greece. At a tribunal hearing, Dimitriadis claimed he was new to the UK and felt socially isolated, which he cited as a reason for failing to maintain appropriate boundaries. He also stated that in Greece, hugging is considered a common form of greeting.
However, the tribunal panel concluded that his behavior fell "well outside the boundaries of acceptable workplace behavior, regardless of cultural background or unfamiliarity with the UK." Dimitriadis also told the colleague he had slept with every nurse at a previous hospital and had visited sex museums.
Dimitriadis worked at University Hospital Coventry between January 2023 and September 2024. He admitted his behavior was sexually motivated and expressed shock that it had caused the victim to feel fearful, reluctant to come to work, and distressed. He stated he deeply regrets causing such distress and that it was never his intention. He also reported having completed courses on professional boundaries, sexual misconduct, bullying, harassment, and social media.
During the tribunal, Dimitriadis claimed he could not recall what prompted him to show the video, stating he had begun scrolling through his phone while discussing other topics. The General Medical Council's representative questioned whether he had fully explored the underlying reasons for his behavior, noting that his actions had escalated over time, from discussing his sexual history to displaying indecent material.
The University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire NHS Trust confirmed that upon learning of the allegations, the individual was immediately suspended and the police were notified. The doctor's fixed-term employment concluded before the Trust's internal investigation was completed, but the Trust continued to support the GMC's investigation. A spokesperson for the Trust emphasized their commitment to upholding high standards of behavior and ensuring colleagues feel safe and supported.
Dimitriadis has since moved to a private gastroenterology clinic in Thessaloniki, Greece. He earned his medical degree from the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki in 2008 and completed specialist training in Germany before moving to the UK.