Doctor at centre of sexual harassment case 'lost faith in NHS'

A doctor sexually harassed by a colleague who has since been struck off the medical register says she has lost all faith in the NHS.

A tribunal heard Dr Jawad Ahmad trapped the victim in an office at Royal Stoke University Hospital, in Stoke-on-Trent, pushed her on to a chair, and then massaged and kissed her.

"I lost trust in my employer and the NHS to listen to me, believe me and protect me," she said, adding that she was still suffering from trauma.

University Hospitals of North Midlands (UHNM) said it had reviewed processes and remained "fully committed to providing a safe environment" for all staff.

On a late shift at the hospital where they both worked in 2020, the then-junior doctor was lured into an office before being subjected to the assault.

Other accusations of misconduct heard at the Medical Practitioners Tribunal Service (MPTS) hearing in August included invitations to dinner from Ahmad and requests to visit her home to pick up books.

He also failed to inform his employer of his arrest on suspicion of sexually assaulting a teenage girl, in June 2020, the MPTS said.

It found Ahmad's behaviour was "predatory and premeditated".

"It made me very anxious about being in the hospital out of hours," said the victim, whose identity is protected.

"It made me very jumpy and nervous, and it made me lose trust in the organisation where I worked."

She said she was left with PTSD, and after nine years of training and working had given up medicine.

"I'm from a working class background, I'm a Stokey, born and bred," she added, explaining she was the first in her family to attend university.

"My dad worked in a steel factory when I was growing up - being a doctor was very important to me, and it mattered a lot.

"I think medicine needs more people like me."

When the victim reported the attack to her employer correct procedures were not followed, and her confidential statement was sent to three people in a data breach.

In 2023, an employment tribunal found that UHNM had unlawfully discriminated against her on the grounds of sex.

"It felt really violating," she said.

"You're always taught to report sexual assault - you're taught [there's a] zero-tolerance policy."

But, she added, "fundamentally these are very hollow words when organisations don't take reports seriously and mishandle cases like this".

The trust's "shambolic" response left her feeling unsupported, she added.

"There were policies that apparently existed, but nobody knew where they were or that they existed at the time."

Dr Diane Adamson, UHNM chief medical officer, said: "We accepted the tribunal's findings in full at the time and continue to unreservedly apologise for failures in our investigation procedures and for the distress this has caused.

"We have zero tolerance for sexual violence and abuse in any form and actively encourage anyone affected to come forward.

"Every concern will be taken seriously, investigated thoroughly and met with appropriate support."

She said the trust had appointed a dedicated sexual safety liaison officer and introduced mandatory training for staff and leaders in investigation procedures.

The survivor, who now works in a different career, said she wanted to speak out in order to drive change.

"The point that I have is not that Dr Ahmad has been struck off, which is good, it's what happens when the next woman reports a sexual assault in an NHS hospital?

"Will she feel empowered to report it? And will she feel listened to and taken care of?"

NHS England said guidance had been issued to hospitals to better recognise and act on incidents.

It has rolled out sexual misconduct policies and taken action to ensure misconduct investigation findings are shared with future employers.

A spokesperson said: "Any instance of sexual violence, harassment or abuse in the NHS is totally unacceptable, and we expect all hospitals to take robust action to ensure that their staff are working in a safe environment."

The victim said she was glad the doctor had been struck off, but was sad the process had taken six years and had had to "fight to get it to this point".

The General Medical Council (GMC) said it empathised with people having to wait a long time for an outcome, but said sometimes it paused investigations to allow for a criminal investigation to conclude.

A spokesperson said the GMC had acted swiftly to restrict Ahmad from practising soon after receiving concerns in 2020.

Ahmad has been approached for comment through the GMC.

Staffordshire Police said Ahmad left the country after the allegations were raised and is believed to be in Pakistan.

A spokesperson said they'd be notified if he returns to the UK or another country which supports extradition and he'd be arrested and interviewed.

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