Suffolk doctor sexually harassed junior colleague, tribunal told

A doctor accused of spilling beer on his young colleague's cleavage before licking it and touching her breasts has been suspended for a year.

Dr Mark Johnson, who was working at West Suffolk Hospital at the time of the incident, also allegedly sent “derogatory and sexually degrading” messages to another junior colleague.

Some of the messages included comments about his colleague's breast size, sexual positions and oral sex, the tribunal was told.

The Medical Practitioners Tribunal (MPT) said some of Dr Johnson's behavior constituted sexual harassment and suspended him from practice for 12 months.

During the hearing, a representative from the General Medical Council (GMC) argued that Dr Johnson should be banned from the profession indefinitely.

However, the MPT panel concluded that his “conduct was not persistent and did not constitute predatory behavior” and that he was “able to improve.”

Dr Johnson joined West Suffolk Hospital as a consultant in 2013 and left 10 years later following a disciplinary hearing.

The commission heard that between November 2018 and November 2019 he sent sexual and inappropriate messages about other colleagues to a junior colleague.

During a work Christmas party in December 2022, Dr Johnson ran his hand up and down a co-worker's back, blew smoke from a vape in her face and kissed her.

He then reportedly poured some of his drink onto the younger colleague's cleavage before licking it off her skin.

The GMC suggested it was a “serious breach” of her “dignity”, while the MPT said his actions were “sexually motivated and constituted sexual harassment”.

The MPT ruled that the conduct of Dr Johnson, who now works at the Royal Sussex County Hospital, was “inherently serious, deliberate and sexually motivated”.

Although he concluded his fitness to practice was impaired, it said he had “developed meaningful insight” and “implemented lasting changes in behaviour”.

Dr Richard Goodwin, medical director of West Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust, said: “We referred Dr Johnson to the GMC following an internal procedure following reports of potential sexual misconduct.

“We are committed to eliminating sexual harassment and violence in the workplace by promoting a culture that promotes openness and transparency and never tolerates unwanted, harmful or inappropriate sexual behavior.”

Royal Sussex County Hospital has been contacted for comment.