NHS hospital doctor arrested for ‘sexual assault’ on a child patient as police ‘identify eight more potential victims’
AN NHS doctor has been arrested on suspicion of child sexual assault - and cops have identified at least nine potential victims.
The 34-year-old had been working as an A&E clinician at the Royal Stoke University Hospital and dealt with thousands of patients in the few years.
Concerns were raised over the 34-year-old’s conduct nearly four years ago but he was allowed to return to work due to a lack of evidence.
He was arrested in December after parents of two girls aged seven and 15 made complaints about the doctor's conduct, reports
Now a major incident investigation has identified concerns in at least 109 patients who were seen by the doctor.
In 2018 he was suspended after the parents of a vulnerable young girl complained about his examination of their daughter.
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A formal investigation was launched by Staffordshire police and the General Medical Council.
He was suspended for a year - but returned to work in 2019 when police said there was a lack of evidence.
He then completed his two-year training at Stoke hospital and took a new job in August 2020 in Dudley.
Last year concerns were again raised after complaints from parents of the two girls aged seven and 15.
He was excluded from his role in March 2021 and was suspended from practicing in October.
He has now been released on bail - and denies all allegations.
During his time at the Dudley Group NHS Foundation Trust, he saw more than 800 patients - including 350 kids.
Staffordshire Police and the NHS have now launched Operation Anzu to review the clinical records of children seen by the doctor.
The Staffordshire force has also reported itself to the Independent Office for Police Conduct.
A spokesperson said: “A 34-year-old man, from the West Midlands, was arrested on suspicion of sexual assault in December 2021. He was released on bail with conditions pending further inquiries.”
They added that they are “reviewing an investigation into the same suspect it undertook in 2018”.
The University Hospitals of North Midlands Trust has set up a helpline for concerned patients on 01782 672540.
A separate helpline for patients at the Dudley hospital can be contacted on 01384 322 311.