NHS Doctor Erased from Register After Voyeurism Conviction
An NHS doctor who was imprisoned for installing covert cameras to secretly film colleagues and tenants has been officially struck off the medical register. Ju Young Um, a 34-year-old anaesthetist, concealed recording devices inside air fresheners and a smoke alarm, placing them in the bathroom and bedroom of his flat as well as in staff accommodation at Dumfries and Galloway Royal Infirmary.
Voyeurism Charges and Legal Consequences
Um recorded a total of 30 individuals, including 21 men and nine women, four of whom were fellow doctors, between November 2020 and August 2023. He initially claimed that his actions were driven by insecurities about his penis size, stating he used the footage to compare himself to other men. However, in May of last year, a jury at Glasgow Sheriff Court found him guilty of 23 charges of voyeurism under the Sexual Offences Act, resulting in an 18-month prison sentence and placement on the sex offenders' register for a decade.
Disciplinary Tribunal Findings
Following his release from prison earlier this month, Um appeared before a disciplinary panel of the Medical Practitioners Tribunal Service (MPTS). The tribunal determined that his fitness to practice was impaired and identified a high risk of reoffending. In evidence submitted to the MPTS, Um admitted for the first time that his actions were sexually motivated, not solely due to body image concerns. He acknowledged suppressing sexual needs and deriving pleasure from viewing the images, expressing deep regret and apologies to his victims.
Impact on Public Confidence
MPTS tribunal chair Claire Lindley emphasized that a fully informed member of the public would be shocked if impairment were not found, noting that Um's behavior undermines trust in the medical profession. The tribunal concluded that unless he fully remediates his actions, patients remain at risk, leading to the decision to erase his name from the medical register to protect public safety and uphold professional standards.
