Senior NHS psychiatrist who touched a junior member of staff’s breasts during an ‘unnecessary’ examination and quizzed her about her sex life asking ‘are you experimental?’ is struck off

• Dr Jamal Hilal, 62, massaged the trainee’s chest in an ‘inappropriate’ exam
• Doctor claimed that she had been trying to ‘tempt’ him into touching her

A ‘creepy’ psychiatrist who massaged a junior member of staff’s breasts in an ‘unnecessary and inappropriate’ medical examination later claimed the young woman had been trying to ‘tempt’ him into touching her.

Dr Jamal Hilal, a Sudanese doctor based in Newcastle-upon-Tyne, has been banned from practising medicine after he pursued the trainee, named Ms B to protect her identity, in a ‘crass and insensitive’ attempt to seduce her.

The 62-year-old, who worked for Cumbria, Northumberland, Tyne and Wear (CNTW) NHS Foundation Trust for almost 20 years, told the trainee she was the ‘perfect woman’, and quizzed her about her sex life, asking if she was ‘experimental’.

His campaign culminated in a ‘deplorable’ incident in which he groped her breasts under the ‘pretext’ of performing a medical examination; a disciplinary panel concluded that the incident ‘amount(ed) to sexual assault’.

Dr Hilal, who came to England in 1993, shot back with claims that the young woman was ‘tempting me to touch her breast’ and that she was in fact attracted to him – but these were thrown out by the panel.

Dr Jamal Hilal worked in the addictions service at Cumbria, Northumberland, Tyne and Wear (CNTW) NHS Foundation Trust

Dr Hilal was found to have pursued his junior colleague in a ‘crass and insensitive’ way for sex

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The Medical Practitioners’ Tribunal Service (MPTS) heard that Ms B had been undertaking her first placement within the addictions service at the NHS trust when she first met the doctor on 1 August 2019.

On that day, Dr Hilal squeezed into a narrow space between the trainee and a wall, leant over her and placed his hand on her computer mouse as she sat at her desk – before asking if she was ‘accommodating’ and ‘tolerant’.

A week later, on August 8, he asked her to come to his office with a female colleague – before changing his mind about inviting her co-worker and, with her alone in his office, said she was the ‘perfect woman’ and ‘looked young’.

The doctor then sent her a message at 11.39pm that day, reading: ‘Hello (Ms B), I guess you’ll be asleep (sleeping emoji) now. I slept like a baby and just woke up…Phew…Will be a long night. Speak to you soon.’

Hugh Barton, for watchdog the General Medical Council (GMC), described the message as ‘creepy’ – a characterisation with which the panel agreed.

Dr Hilal had obtained her phone number, the panel ruled, after repeatedly insisting that she enter it into his phone. He claimed he was messaging her about guitar lessons.

But a week later, the doctor cornered the trainee in a workplace kitchen and demanded to know why she hadn’t replied to his text.

He then said she looked ‘tired’, started massaging her neck and shoulders, and told her: ‘I know what will wake you up,’ despite her asking him to stop.

But Dr Hilal’s behaviour plummeted to new depths the next day on August 16 when, alone with the woman in his office, he suggested she submit to a medical exam because she looked ‘unwell’.

He took her bloods before returning to his office and asking her questions about her menstrual cycle, her sex life and whether she was experiencing pain in her breasts.

Dr Hilal then conducted a physical examination in which he touched her neck, collar bones, armpits and breasts, while telling her he could not ‘feel (her) properly’ as she had her bra on.

Horrified, Ms B asked him what he was doing and told him to stop – but he did not respond to her question, and continued to touch her.

Ms B’s former partner, giving evidence to the tribunal, said that she phoned him immediately after the incident in ‘great distress’, telling him he had touched her.

Dr Hilal sent his young colleague a late night WhatsApp message after pestering her for her phone number – later claiming it was so he could speak to her about guitar lessons

Dr Hilal – pictured supporting a solidarity campaign for his home nation of Sudan – had worked for the NHS Trust for almost two decades

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In written statements, Dr Jilal denied touching her, claiming only to have touched her hands before he became ‘uneasy’; he also sought to claim during the hearing that she had been trying to ‘tempt’ him into touching her, and that she had been pursuing him sexually rather than the other way around.

But accounts given to the hearing by colleagues suggested that his behaviour had been protracted: one member of staff said that Ms B looked ‘uncomfortable’ whenever he was around, while a nurse said that the young worker had told her of feeling ‘violated’ after Dr Hilal carried out the unwarranted examination.

The panel found that Dr Hilal coaxed her into spending time with him at work by telling her she needed to spend time with him ‘on a one-to-one basis’ before he would sign a proficiency booklet as part of her placement.

He also tried to invite himself to her house, asked when she would be home alone, asked if she was ‘experimental’, blew her kisses and told her she was ‘beautiful’ on occasions throughout August 2019.

The tribunal concluded: ‘This course of sexually motivated behaviour ultimately culminated in touching Ms B’s breasts in circumstances amounting to sexual assault. 

‘He had done so under the guise of a medical examination which was not being conducted for any legitimate reason, rather it was because of Dr Hilal’s sexual interest in her. 

‘The Tribunal determined that not only did these actions breach (good medical practice) but was also conduct that would be considered as deplorable by both members of the public and members of the profession alike.’

Dr Hilal was also found to have acted in an ‘inappropriate and unprofessional’ way towards another colleague, Ms A, after he wrapped his arm around her shoulder and hugged her, but the MPTS ruled this did not amount to ‘serious misconduct’.

In choosing to strike him from the register, the panel noted his otherwise spotless record – but looked dimly on a lack of ‘any expression of remorse…or acknowledgement of the potential impact of his behaviour’. 

Ms B reported Dr Hilal to Northumbria Police shortly after the incident occured, and she, her former partner and several colleagues were interviewed by officers.

MailOnline understands that Dr Hilal was arrested as part of the investigation, but charges were never brought and no further action is being taken.

Dr Hilal continued working with the NHS Foundation Trust up until April 2023, the hearing was told. 

According to his professional LinkedIn profile, Dr Hilal worked with the addictions service up until February 2022, and switched to working in general adult psychiatry.

The NHS Foundation Trust employing him says ‘appropriate action’ will now be taken. 

James Duncan, chief executive at CNTW NHS Foundation Trust said: ‘As soon as these allegations came to light an investigation took place in line with our Trust policies. 

‘We were aware of the referral to the General Medical Council and now that the process has concluded we will take appropriate action.’ 

Dr Hilal did not respond to multiple requests for comment.

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