Suspended Elmleigh hospital psychiatrist who kissed and cuddled disgusted colleagues allowed back into profession

In November last year a tribunal suspended Elmleigh hospital's Dr James Ugbo after he subjected other female medics to 'touchy feely' contact for two years.

The psychiatrist bombarded colleagues at the Havant psychiatric hospital with flirtatious comments and ‘unnecessary physical contact at the hospital they worked at, including kissing one on the lips without consent.

Married Dr Ugbo – who even tried to put his tongue in one colleague's mouth on a night out – made them feel uncomfortable, reduced them to tears and made one take sick leave.

Now – despite the November tribunal ruling he was 'sexually motivated’ – Dr Ugbo's six-month suspension as a registered doctor has been lifted. He still does not accept he acted sexually.

Instead, Dr Ugbo has 'recognised that his actions will have been perceived by his colleagues as sexually motivated’.

At a Medical Practitioners Tribunal review hearing on Monday, it was also heard Dr Ugbo went on a behavioural course and wrote a grovelling ‘reflective piece’ expressing his ‘deep sorrow’.

In November it was heard Dr Ugbo, in his 50s, showered colleagues with unwanted comments including ‘you look like a vision in pink today’ and told one colleague: ‘You always dress elegantly and amazingly.’

He asked one colleague ‘is it alright if I kiss you?’ as he tried to kiss her lips. He pecked her cheek and cuddled another as well as touched her lower back, pulled her clothing away from her shoulder and kissed her.

He ‘caressed’ one person’s stomach and on a night out the doctor – having thrown his arms around two colleagues – said: ‘[I'm] with the two most attractive women in the bar.’

At this week's hearing, MPTS chair Angus Macpherson said Dr Ugbo feels 'shame' that he was found to have acted sexually.

He said: ‘Dr Ugbo has prepared and submitted an extensive piece in which he has reflected on his misconduct, including his shame at having been considered to be sexually inappropriate towards female colleagues.

‘He realises now that being silent or not saying ‘no’ does not necessarily imply somebody likes or welcomes his gestures. He would behave differently now.

‘He expresses deep sorrow for his behaviour and the effect it has had on his colleagues.

‘He has resolved firmly to only interact with colleagues in a normal professional manner, avoiding unsolicited compliments and unwelcome physical contacts and to be mindful of people’s personal boundaries.

‘He states that he is sure that he will not repeat this type of behaviour in the future.

‘I consider that Dr Ugbo’s reflective piece... represents strong evidence that he will be able to achieve that interaction with work colleagues.

‘Dr Ugbo may not have gone as far as recognising his sexual motivation, but he has recognised that his actions will have been perceived by his colleagues as sexually motivated and he has apologised for that.’

Dr Ugbo last worked at Elmleigh in 2017 as a locum doctor and will not be returning to the hospital.

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