Doctor who worked in Cumbria struck off after hiding 14 convictions
A doctor who worked in Cumbria has been struck off after hiding 14 criminal convictions from medical officials and an NHS trust.
Dr Salah-ud-Din Taj was found to have given false answers when he applied to work as a doctor in the UK.
The convictions took place in Australia and included stalking, making a threat to kill and breaking family violence orders.
A Medical Practitioners Tribunal Service hearing ended on June 12th, 2026.
The tribunal ruled that Dr Taj’s fitness to practise was impaired. It ordered that his name should be removed from the Medical Register.
He was also suspended at once during the 28-day period in which he can appeal.
Convictions in Australia
Dr Taj was convicted at the Magistrates Court of Victoria in Melbourne on March 9, 2016.
The tribunal said he had committed 14 offences over a period of about four months.
They included breaches of family violence orders and stalking another person.
He was also convicted of making a threat to kill and using a communication service to threaten or harass someone.
Other offences included breaking bail conditions and committing an offence while on bail.
The tribunal found that the actions would also count as crimes if they had taken place in England or Wales.
Dr Taj received a 12-month Community Correction Order.
The sentence included 150 hours of unpaid community work. He also had to complete treatment and rehabilitation work and remain under supervision.
False answer on medical application
Dr Taj applied to the General Medical Council for full registration on May 21, 2018.
The application asked whether he had any convictions or cautions from the UK or another country.
He answered “No”.
The tribunal found that he knew this answer was false.
It also found that he gave false details about his work history.
Dr Taj claimed that he had worked without a break in Australia between December 2007 and May 2017.
The tribunal found that he knew this was not true.
False declaration to Cumbrian NHS trust
Dr Taj later signed a declaration for North Cumbria University Hospitals NHS Trust on November 2, 2019.
He was again asked whether he had any convictions that he needed to declare.
He answered “No”.
He also wrote: “There is a minor incidence which I have informed to GMC at my registration time.”
However, the tribunal found that he knew he had 14 convictions.
It also found that he knew he had not told the GMC about them.
North Cumbria University Hospitals NHS Trust later became part of North Cumbria Integrated Care NHS Foundation Trust.
Tribunal found persistent dishonesty
Tribunal chair Bushra Tabassum said the case did not involve concerns about patient safety.
Dr Taj was also described by some patients and colleagues as a good doctor.
However, the tribunal found that he had acted in a “persistently dishonest” way.
It said he had lied to employers and medical officials while applying to work.
The tribunal said this behaviour went against the basic standards expected from doctors.
It also found that Dr Taj had shown limited insight into what he had done.
There was also a “significant risk” that he could repeat the dishonest behaviour.
The panel accepted that removing a good clinician from medicine would be a loss.
However, it ruled that protecting public trust in doctors was more important.
Dr Taj’s removal from the Medical Register will take effect 28 days after June 12 unless he appeals.
If he does appeal, his immediate suspension will remain in place until the case has ended.
