One of Scotland's top surgeons has been suspended from practice for two months over an Old Firm bust-up with his partner that left him with a criminal conviction.
Dr Graeme Holt, a leading hip replacement surgeon in Ayrshire, lost the plot with Jenifer Joseph, a senior charge nurse, after watching Rangers beat Celtic at Parkhead in December 2019.
He admitted to to behaving in a threatening or abusive manner which was likely to cause fear or alarm, and was sentenced was placed under supervision for two years by Sheriff Michael Hanlon at Kilmarnock Sheriff Court as a 'direct alternative' to jail.
The incident was investigated by the Medical Practitioners Tribunal Service (MPTS) last week who determined that the surgeon's fitness to practice was impaired. It also imposed a two month suspension on his medical registration.
Dr Holt was suspended and then "excluded" from his post at Crosshouse Hospital, near Kilmarnock, following the blazing row with his partner.
NHS Ayrshire and Arran had to rearrange appointments and draft in locum doctors to plug the hole left by the doctor's absence when he was suspended, but he was brought back to work early because of staff shortages in the midst of the pandemic.
The health trust has not confirmed with the Record whether Dr Holt's suspension will impact surgery or appointment's for patients again, but said they were committed to bringing treatment for patients in "as timely a way as possible".
Rangers fan Holt – who worked as a consultant orthopaedic and trauma surgeon – had been buoyed by watching his side's away win in 2019.
But an argument erupted when he returned home after Jennifer found out his ex-wife had been at the house they share.
The court heard that Holt began arguing with Jennifer at the property in Irvine, Ayrshire, shouting and swearing at her and calling her foul names.
He went on trial over the allegations in 2020 but after his partner gave evidence he made guilty plea.
He had been accused of assaulting Jennifer by seizing her by the neck but his plea of not guilty to this charge was accepted.
His lawyer said Holt had turned to alcohol due to the stress of working 80 hour weeks at Crosshouse Hospital, where both he and Joseph worked.
Dr Crawford McGuffie, Medical Director, said: "NHS Ayrshire & Arran is committed to providing safe and effective health care and treatment for our population in as timely a way as possible. Staff absence can have a significant impact on our services.
"However, we remain focused on taking action to try and ease the pressures on our health and care system and minimise disruption to our patients.
"We cannot comment on individual staff cases in order to maintain employee confidentiality."
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