Dr Amal Bose, a senior heart surgeon at Blackpool Victoria Hospital, has been suspended after being convicted of sexually assaulting five female staff members in his department. The Medical Practitioner's Tribunal also erased his name from the medical register.
Bose, 55, of Main Road, Thurnham, Lancaster, was found guilty at a trial in June of 12 counts of sexual assault relating to five female staff members between 2017 and 2022. He was cleared of two other counts. He is due to be sentenced on Tuesday, September 16.
Culture of unchallenged behaviour
Bose's victims said that because of his seniority in the department, they worked in 'a culture of inappropriate behaviour that went unchallenged'. Huw Edwards, prosecuting, previously told a sentencing hearing at Preston Crown Court that staff members described Bose's behaviour as 'beyond workplace jokes'.
"It was sexual targeting of females - and mainly younger females," he said. As a result of his offending, Bose has lost his career and now works as a parcel delivery driver.
Tribunal findings
Following a Medical Practitioner's Tribunal hearing on July 31, the Tribunal chaired by Melissa Coutino noted that Bose was 'not currently engaged in any structured treatment programme' directed at his conduct.
"There was evidence that he had undertaken some relevant training in 2024 in relation to workplace behaviour. However, there was limited evidence that these courses would reduce the risk of similar behaviour occurring in the future given that it was unclear what Dr Bose had learnt from these sessions," the Tribunal said.
"Taking these matters together, the Tribunal was not satisfied that Dr Bose had remediated the concerns identified. It considered that insight remained developing rather than complete and that there remained a risk of repetition. Accordingly, the Tribunal concluded that the current and ongoing risk to public protection remained significant."
Victim accounts
One of Bose's victims previously told the court she was groped by the surgeon as she scrubbed up ahead of surgery. On another occasion, shortly after she joined the department, Bose rested his head on her shoulder, leaving her worried what other staff members would think about the relationship between them, she said.
"She said there was a toxic environment in the department, and Amal Bose was the root cause," Mr Edwards said. Another victim was groped in an operating theatre as she helped the consultant prepare for an operation. After putting his gloves on, Bose 'purposefully' grabbed her breast, the court heard.
One woman said Bose groped her breast as he helped himself to a pen from her top pocket. She said Bose referred to her as 'fresh meat' and would often stand too close to her, making inappropriate comments. She said she reported it to a colleague but the incident was 'never spoken of again.'
Another described how he had pulled her top down, exposing her chest and bra. "From that point she changed her view of him from something harmless to something more," Mr Edwards said. One victim said Bose's behaviour was 'a well-known fact' and new employees were warned about him. She said Bose touched her inappropriately 'every time she saw him' leaving her frightened and anxious. She developed a 'terrible' sickness record and altered her working pattern to try to avoid him.
His defence barrister Tom Price KC said: "It is fair to say if they hadn't before, the scales have fallen from his eyes and he appreciates the gravity of his conduct over that period of time."
The Tribunal found that public confidence in the profession required a finding of impairment. It determined that an immediate suspension was necessary to 'protect the public' and 'maintain confidence in the profession'.
