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Doctor sexually harassed at Royal Stoke University Hospital says she has lost faith in the NHS
Overview
A junior doctor who was sexually harassed by colleague Dr Jawad Ahmad at Royal Stoke University Hospital in 2020 has spoken out after he was struck off the medical register. The victim suffered trauma and PTSD, ultimately giving up a nine-year medical career. She criticized the University Hospitals of North Midlands (UHNM) trust for mishandling her report, which included a data breach of her confidential statement and an employment tribunal ruling in 2023 that she was unlawfully discriminated against on the grounds of sex. UHNM apologized for the investigation failures, while the trust and NHS England highlighted new measures and policies introduced to tackle sexual misconduct.
Key points
- Dr Jawad Ahmad was struck off the medical register after being found to have sexually harassed a junior colleague at Royal Stoke University Hospital in 2020.
- The victim stated she lost all faith in the NHS and her employer after her report was mishandled and her confidential statement was leaked in a data breach.
- An employment tribunal found in 2023 that University Hospitals of North Midlands (UHNM) had unlawfully discriminated against the victim on the grounds of sex.
- The victim developed PTSD and ultimately gave up medicine after nine years of training and working.
- UHNM apologised for the investigation failures and stated it has appointed a sexual safety liaison officer and introduced mandatory training.
- Staffordshire Police believe Ahmad left the country for Pakistan after the allegations were raised.