A radiologist was able to work for a teleradiology company, despite having had his licenses revoked in both Sweden and Norway, according to an investigation by The Times. The U.K.-based firm has now released a detailed statement on the matter.
The Swedish medical regulator revoked Dr. Sattar Kadhem’s license in June 2023, after he made repeated errors and patient harm was only avoided because other colleagues spotted his mistakes, stated the article published on 2 October 2025. His alleged mistakes at Swedish hospitals included missing a large blood clot, air trapped in a patient’s lungs, bone abnormalities, a spine fracture, and misdiagnosing a bowel obstruction.
In 2021, the Swedish medical board found he was "incompetent" in his professional practice in a way that could have an impact on patient safety, and it placed him on a three-year probation, against which Kadhem did not appeal in the Swedish courts, The Times continued. He did not meet the terms of the probation order, claiming illness meant he could not discuss his training requirements with regulatory officials, and because of his failure to engage, his license was revoked. Soon afterwards, his Norwegian license was revoked on the basis that he had lost his Swedish license, the article noted.
When The Times contacted him, Kadhem declined to comment. However, a spokesman for Hexarad, the teleradiology company that employed Kadhem, said he had been immediately suspended after the firm was approached by the newspaper and he had now been fired and referred to the U.K. General Medical Council (GMC) following an internal investigation.
Until 2022, Kadhem worked in the U.K. National Health Service (NHS), after his initial Swedish probation order had been issued, The Times continued. A spokeswoman for the Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust declined to comment on Kadhem’s case but said that all its radiologists were subject to regular internal audits to ensure the highest standards of patient care.
As of May 2025, of NHS England’s 148,000 doctors, 57,000 were non-U.K. nationals, The Times noted. Other doctors cleared to work in the U.K. included one found to have sexually harassed colleagues in Canada, another on the run from stalking charges, and a third convicted in the US following an assault charge.
"A lack of transparency about medical malpractice can be deadly," The Times stated. It also cites the case of Dr. Ajit Pothen, who was permitted to work in a Nottingham hospital despite being suspended by a hospital in the Netherlands. In the U.K., Pothen wrongly discharged an NHS patient who later died.
New statement from Hexarad
On 8 October 2025, a Hexarad spokesperson confirmed to AuntMinnieEurope that the information about Kadhem in The Times article was accurate and that he was immediately suspended when the newspaper made the company aware of the allegations. Kadhem has since been dismissed and referred to the GMC after an in-house investigation, the spokesperson added.
“During our onboarding process and through regular appraisals, Dr. Kadhem signed multiple declarations -- most recently in June 2025 -- confirming he had no professional investigations, probations or suspensions in the U.K. or abroad. He was also listed on the GMC's Specialist Register without restrictions throughout his employment with us,” the spokesperson said.
Kadhem joined Hexarad as a contractor in 2022, providing remote radiology services. At the time of his recruitment, he was also employed as a consultant radiologist at North Middlesex NHS Trust. Hexarad said it was not aware of his previous disciplinary issues in Sweden and Norway. “This information did not arise during our due diligence checks, which relied on GMC verification and the declarations provided by Dr. Kadhem himself. Our recruitment process follows NHS and regulatory guidelines.”
The company said it is continuing enhanced peer review of all his scans. “We've asked the GMC for information -- they've provided nothing, despite Dr. Kadhem remaining on their Specialist Register.”
Patient safety has been the company’s absolute priority, the spokesperson pointed out. “We are in regular contact with all customers regarding this matter and are happy to discuss any concerns directly with them. This case highlights the critical importance of transparent information-sharing between international medical regulators and the need for enhanced vetting procedures for doctors who have practised overseas.”
To read The Times article, click here (access requires login and subscription).
