© Tom Blewitt & Zack Griffiths – Predator Awareness

A senior doctor found by a medical tribunal to have committed rape has avoided being permanently struck off, after the panel described the incident as a “one off” attack, prompting widespread criticism and concern about accountability in the healthcare profession.

Dr Aloaye Foy-Yamah, formerly a consultant at Blackpool Victoria Hospital, was suspended for 12 months after a tribunal concluded, on the balance of probabilities, that he had raped a young woman at his home. He denies the allegation. The case had previously been investigated by police, who did not bring criminal charges.

The decision was made by the Medical Practitioners Tribunal Service (MPTS), an independent body that determines whether doctors are fit to practise. Despite the severity of the finding, the panel chose not to erase Dr Foy-Yamah from the medical register.

In its determination, the tribunal stated that the incident was a “one off” attack that took place in the doctor’s personal life and did not involve a patient. The panel said there was no evidence of a risk to patient safety and concluded that the behaviour would not be repeated. It also took into account a number of positive testimonials from colleagues.

The ruling has drawn strong backlash from campaigners and healthcare professionals, who argue that describing rape as a “one off” incident risks minimising the seriousness of sexual violence. Advocacy group Surviving in Scrubs said the decision undermines trust in the profession and fails to reflect the gravity of the misconduct.

The General Medical Council (GMC), which regulates doctors in the UK, has appealed the decision to the High Court. It said it was “deeply uncomfortable” with the tribunal’s reasoning and criticised what it described as a failure to properly assess the seriousness of the case.

Dr Foy-Yamah has also appealed the tribunal’s findings.

During the hearing, the tribunal was told the woman and the doctor were known to each other socially. Evidence presented included her account of being restrained and unable to resist before the rape occurred.

Blackpool Victoria Hospital confirmed that Dr Foy-Yamah is no longer employed there.