"The last 4 years have been horrible" Nigerian doctor wrongly accused by patient speaks out after UK court overturned his suspension
year ordeal after being accused of mistreating
patients at a surgery has spoken of the effect the
case has had on his family.
Dr Abiodun Bale has been told by the Court of Appeal
he was free to return to work after a top judge
overturned his suspension on Monday, March 28th.
Dr. Bale, who at the time lived in Moston,
Manchester, was accused of behaving inappropriately
after a female patient identified as Maria Hindle
claimed he had grabbed her arm during a
consultation and raised his voice to her at Hyndburn
Medical Practice in Oswaldtwistle in 2013.
The 45-year-old was training to be a GP at the
Hyndburn Medical Practice in Acrington, when the
allegations were first made in 2013. He was found
guilty of assaulting the patient at Burnley Crown Court
in 2014, but was later cleared of any wrongdoing
following an appeal.
However, he was suspended from practice for nine
months by a Medical Practitioners' Tribunal Service
(MPTS) panel iin July 2016. The panel concluded he
had behaved inappropriately towards the woman and
to a second female patient, and also lied during his
trial.
Mr Justice Collins told the court there had never been
any criticism of Dr Bale’s skills as a doctor and that
it would be wrong to take any further action against
him.
"I should say there is no indication that,
before or since these events, he has behaved
in any way which would be contrary to good
practice as a doctor and there is no
suggestion he is anything other than a
competent practitioner." the judge added
But, allowing his appeal and lifting his suspension,
Mr Justice Collins ruled the panel was wrong to
conclude his denial was “tantamount to perjury”.
"The tribunal was indeed wrong to find that
what he had done was dishonest, or that he
had committed perjury before the criminal
courts. In the circumstances of this case,
having regard in particular to the suspension
he has already served, it would be wrong to
do other than take no action against him"
But the Lagos-trained GP said a crown court trial,
medical tribunals and the appeal have taken its toll
on the wellbeing of himself and his wife and family.
The doctor maintained his innocence throughout the
various proceedings and has now been given the all-
clear by the appeal courts to continue his carer. He
no longer wants to be a GP but is a qualified
specialist in obstetrics and gynaecology.
"There have been great physical,
psychological, social and financial
consequences of this case for me. My family
and I have been put through unwarranted
misery. Nobody should have to go through
this.
"It is a wonderful concept in civilised
societies like ours to protect patients, but
somebody should also be looking out for
doctors who have unfortunately found
themselves in situations like mine."
He believes he has been 'let down by the system' as
well as having to pay a heavy price financially to re-
establish his right to practice. But he is glad
'commons sense' prevailed in the end.
Dr Bale added:
“The last four years have been a horrible
ordeal professionally and the last eight
months have been unspeakably stressful for
my wife, kids, our extended families and for
me"
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