Tribunal clears Telford hospital medic of inappropriate behaviour with woman

A judgment document says Collins Emeka Joeaneke Okeke, then a senior house officer at the Princess Royal Hospital, first met “Ms A” in Wellington Leisure Centre more than three years ago.

At a later date, the General Medical Council alleged, he behaved inappropriately when she visited him at his accommodation including trying to stop her leaving.

Dr Okeke admitted kissing and touching the woman but said that was consensual and the conversation was part of “getting to know each other better”.

A Medical Practitioners Tribunal Service panel found the GMC’s remaining allegations not proved, found no misconduct and issued no warning.

In her report, panel chairman Megan Larrinaga writes that Dr Okeke qualified in 2012 at Nigeria’s University of Jos Teaching Hospital, and gained a licence to practice in the UK five years later.

When they first met, Ms Larrinaga writes, Dr Okeke told Ms A he was an A&E doctor and had been at the PRH for three months.

She adds: “Ms A stated that they discussed and agreed to climb the Wrekin.”

On the day she thought they had agreed to hike, in January 2018, Ms A arrived by car but Dr Okeke disputed that the walk was due to take place, saying he had previously climbed the landmark, and found it “strenuous, tiring and very difficult”, also that it was dark and cold outside.

Miss Larrinaga 's report said that in reaching its decision on facts, the tribunal had borne in mind that the burden of proof rested on the GMC; Dr Okeke need not prove anything.

Dr Okeke faced 26 charges covering incidents throughout Ms A’s visit. of which 16 were found not proved. The tribunal ruled the GMC had not proved the remaining 10 actions had been carried out against Ms A’s consent nor that Dr Okeke ignored requests to stop.

A Shrewsbury and Telford Hospital NHS Trust spokesman confirmed Dr Okeke no longer works for the trust.