Doctor struck off for harassing colleague

A doctor found to have sexually harassed a colleague has been removed from the medical register.

Dr Jawad Ahmad left the UK in the wake of allegations of sexual assault against a then-junior doctor in 2020, while they both worked at Royal Stoke University Hospital.

He had also failed to inform his employer of his arrest on suspicion of sexually assaulting a teenage girl in June 2020, the Medical Practitioners Tribunal Service (MPTS) said.

A misconduct hearing, held in Ahmad's absence, and beginning earlier this month, concluded on Tuesday with him being struck off, and his actions described as "fundamentally incompatible" with registration as a medical practitioner.

Police said Ahmad was believed to be in Pakistan, having left the UK about five years ago.

Ahmad's behaviour against an individual referred to as Ms A during proceedings included making requests to visit her home to pick up books.

He was also accused of luring her into an office on 11 June 2020 before pushing her down on to a chair, massaging her back and shoulders and kissing her.

Dr Diane Adamson, chief medical officer at University Hospitals of North Midlands NHS Trust, which runs Royal Stoke. said the trust had a zero tolerance approach towards sexual violence and abuse.

In a statement issued after Tuesday's outcome, she added: "We actively encourage anyone affected to come forward," she said. "Every concern will be taken seriously, investigated thoroughly and met with appropriate support.

"We will always act on what we find - including referral to the police where necessary - and we will hold those responsible to account."

She said that "concrete steps" had been taken to "embed a culture of safety, respect and accountability" across the organisation.

On Monday, the MPTS chair for the case, Alison Storey, described Ahmad's conduct as "predatory and premeditated", adding that it had left Ms A "upset".

She would later take steps to avoid night shifts in an effort to keep away from Ahmad, Storey said, and not work when the hospital was quiet, when she thought she would be more vulnerable.

Ahmad, who was a urology registrar, was also found to have signed a contract extension with University Hospitals of North Midlands NHS Trust on 22 June 2020, without disclosing he had been arrested for a suspected criminal offence.

He had been taken into custody two days earlier, after allegedly sexually assaulting a teenage girl in Stoke-on-Trent.

The General Medical Council (GMC) said he had an obligation to declare his arrest, but did not do so because he wanted the new contract - actions it branded dishonest.

The MPTS panel said that reasonable members of the public "would be outraged if Dr Ahmad was allowed to remain on the medical register" in light of his misconduct and dishonesty.

His erasure from the register prohibits him from working as a doctor in the UK or anywhere else where he is required to hold GMC registration.

It was concluded that this was necessary in order to protect the public, including the need to maintain the reputation of the profession.

Adamson said: "We have appointed a dedicated sexual safety liaison officer, introduced mandatory training for staff and leaders and established clearer, more accessible routes for reporting concerns.

"This work continues and we remain committed to ensuring every member of our workforce feels safe, respected and heard."

Follow BBC Stoke & Staffordshire on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram.