West Midlands NHS doctor has been arrested on suspicion of child sex assault

A major incident review has been sparked by Staffordshire Police and working with the NHS following allegations that an NHS doctor has assaulted child patients.

The 34 year-old has worked at Russells Hall Hospital in Dudley and Royal Stoke University.

Concerns were first raised almost four years ago. He was allowed to return to work after a police inquiry.

Hundreds of patients’ records are now being reviewed as part of Operation Anzu.

It is understood two complaints include the examination of two girls aged seven and 15 at the Stoke hospital.

The alarm was raised while the doctor was working at Russells Hall last year.

He was excluded from the hospital trust in March and in October the General Medical Council suspended him.

The doctor was arrested in December.

Detectives have identified nine potential victims, according to the Sunday Times who broke the story.

At least 109 patients have been identified as cases of concern.

Helplines have been set up for patients.

The doctor worked in accident and emergency departments at both hospitals, and in obstetrics and gynaecology at Dudley.

The doctor saw more than 800 patients at the Dudley hospital between August 2020 and March last year, including more than 350 children.

Staffordshire Police said it has reported itself to the Independent Office for Police Conduct. A police spokesperson told BirminghamWorld: “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 enquiries. An investigation is ongoing.

“Staffordshire Police is also reviewing an investigation into the same suspect it undertook in 2018, at which time there was insufficient evidence to take further action. An Independent Office Police of Conduct (IOPC) self-referral has been made by Staffordshire Police in regards to the 2018 investigation.”

The University Hospitals of North Midlands Trust said it had 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.

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