NHS heart surgeon jailed for six years for sexual assaults on colleagues

A former NHS consultant who served as head of cardiothoracic surgery at Blackpool Victoria Hospital was jailed for six years on Tuesday after a jury convicted him of sexually assaulting five female colleagues.

At Preston Crown Court, 55-year-old Dr Amal Bose was found guilty of 12 counts of sexual assault relating to incidents the court heard took place between 2017 and 2022. He was cleared of two other counts. Judge Ian Unsworth told Bose he had used his “exalted position” to prey on colleagues and described the conduct as “sexually charged, targeted and predatory”, saying the doctor had regarded female staff as being there “to satisfy your own sexual needs and urges.” The judge said Bose showed no genuine remorse and branded him “a sexual predator hiding in plain sight.” Bose was also ordered to sign the sex offenders register for life.

Victims gave accounts in court of a pattern of unwelcome physical contact and sexually explicit comments while working under Bose’s supervision. One nurse told jurors Bose grabbed her breast as she helped prepare for surgery. Another described being groped when Bose reached for a pen in her top pocket and said he referred to her as “fresh meat.” A third witness said Bose pulled her top down, exposing her chest and bra, and made a remark about a cup of tea. Messages and other evidence presented at trial showed Bose commenting on colleagues’ sexual attractiveness and making sexually charged remarks, the court heard.

Prosecutors told the court that staff felt unable to challenge Bose because of his seniority, and that attempts to dismiss his behaviour as part of the workplace culture — colleagues would say “That’s just Amal” — allowed the conduct to continue. When arrested at his home, police video recorded Bose saying, “It was only flirting,” the court was told.

Defence counsel Tom Price KC told the court Bose had gone “from the very highest to the very lowest” and said the surgeon had devoted his life to public service, saved many lives and was now working as a parcel delivery driver. The court was told Bose had not worked at the Trust since December 2022.

Blackpool Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust issued a statement after the conviction saying the incidents were “completely unacceptable” and contrary to the Trust’s values. The Trust said it would provide support to those affected, was taking action to strengthen its culture and would consider what further steps were required. The Trust said it had cooperated fully with police throughout the investigation.

The sentencing follows a series of high-profile criminal cases involving staff at the same hospital in recent years. In 2024 a consultant doctor was jailed after punching a vulnerable patient. In 2023 two members of staff at the hospital’s stroke unit were jailed for conspiring to drug and ill-treat sedated patients, and a senior nurse pleaded guilty to offences relating to stolen drugs and perverting the course of justice. A healthcare assistant was also jailed in an unrelated case for sexually assaulting colleagues. Earlier this month a coroner concluded that a 75-year-old patient who bled to death on the hospital’s stroke ward in 2018 had been unlawfully killed; no one has been charged in that case.

Judge Unsworth acknowledged in court that Bose had been a “dedicated, highly-skilled surgeon” and that many patients owed him their lives, but said those facts did not excuse his actions. Bose, who is a father of five and lives near Lancaster, will serve part of his sentence in custody and remains subject to notification requirements under the sexual offences legislation.

Police and hospital officials said they welcomed the verdict and reiterated support for victims who come forward. The Trust said it continued to review practices and culture across its services to ensure safety, respect and inclusivity for staff and patients.