Chichester A&E doctor accused of having telephone sex with patient

Dr Bryan Ashton, 47, is said to have had non-consensual telephone sex with the woman and is also accused of putting his hand up her top to touch her breasts.

A Fitness to Practise Panel has been hearing evidence at a medical tribunal in Manchester, which began 
on Friday.

The panel of three is 
said to be considering the evidence and is expected to announce its decision by the end of this week.

If found guilty, Dr Ashton faces being struck off the medical register.

Dr Ashton is also accused of telling a second patient 
he was treating that he 
‘liked the outfit she was wearing’ in 2009, and visiting her home and ‘asking questions about her 
personal life’.

The hearing is being held by the Medical Practitioners Tribunal Service (MPTS).

A statement from MPTS said: “The panel will inquire into the allegation that, when working as an A&E doctor in Western Sussex Hospitals NHS Trust, Dr Ashton’s conduct was 
sexually motivated towards Patient A, in that, between March 2009 and February 2014, he pursued an improper emotional and sexual relationship with her whilst he was also her 
treating doctor.

“It is also alleged that Dr Ashton’s conduct towards Patient B was sexually motivated in that, on May 16, 2009, he behaved flirtatiously with her while examining her at the hospital and, on May 20, 2009, he behaved inappropriately during a consultation with Patient B at her home.

“It is further alleged that 
at some time following 
May 20, 2009, Dr Ashton attempted to pursue an improper emotional relationship with Patient B by contacting her on a social media website.”

With regards to Patient A, Dr Ashton is accused of engaging in non-consensual telephone sex on March 9, 2009; putting his hand on 
her bottom on March 25, 2009 and in March 2010; asking 
her if she was wearing underwear and if so what colour it was on April 3, 2009; and putting his hand up her top and touching her breasts on February 2014, according to the MPTS.

The week-long tribunal has heard evidence from 
Dr Ashton as well as Patient A and Patient B.

Dr Ashton, an accident and emergency doctor at St Richard’s in Chichester, denies all of the allegations.

Don’t miss out on all the latest breaking news where you live.

Here are four ways you can be sure you’ll be amongst the first to know what’s going on.

1) Make our website your homepage at www.chichester.co.uk/

2) Like our Facebook page at www.facebook.com/ChichesterObserver

3) Follow us on Twitter @Chiobserver

4) Register with us by clicking on ‘sign in’ (top right corner). You can then receive our daily newsletter AND add your point of view to stories that you read here.

And do share with your family and friends - so they don’t miss out!

The Chichester Observer - always the first with your local news.

Be part of it.