A doctor’s fitness to practice medicine has been impaired after his persistent harassment of a woman was labelled “disgraceful”, a medical misconduct panel ruled.

Dr Clive Kelly, an experienced professional who has worked at James Cook University Hospital, in Middlesbrough, sent a series of unwanted messages to his victim.

The doctor of over 40 years previously admitted 40 allegations like to the harassment of a woman (known as Miss B), while also accessing the medical records of a second person (known as Mrs A) without their consent.

It comes after he was arrested and handed a restraining order following a sustained campaign of harassment against a student in 2017, according to evidence submitted by the General Medical Council (GMC) to the Medical Practitioners Tribunal Service (MPTS) panel.

The tribunal found Dr Kelly repeatedly harassed Miss B via email, messages, an incident at a hotel and through third parties. Ceri Widdett, for the GMC, submitted that Dr Kelly had abused his position of power and influence over Miss B, who had looked to him for support.

Dr Kelly was also found to have expressed negative views about Miss B’s mental health; undermined her academic abilities; and breached her confidentiality. He was also dishonest, the tribunal ruled.

Read more: Doctor shared medical records and harassed a woman

Ms Widdett submitted that Dr Kelly's "disgraceful pattern of behaviour and disregard for the consequences of that behaviour meant that his actions amounted to serious misconduct,” an MPTS decision notice added.

The Northern Echo: Dr Clive Kelly has worked around the world practising medicine Dr Clive Kelly has worked around the world practising medicine

Dr Kelly also lacked “insight into the gravity of his actions”, Ms Widdett submitted.

The tribunal was also warned Dr Kelly was liable to repeat his actions, bringing the medical profession into disrepute.

Anthony Haycroft, defending, said Dr Kelly admitted accessing the medical records and harassment, but said he did not “knowingly embark upon a deliberate course of harassment against her”.

Mr Haycroft conceded that Dr Kelly’s actions amounted to serious misconduct.

As a specialist in rheumatology, he has spent several years working overseas or working with UK universities developing medical and humanitarian projects in the developing world, and was praised by NHS bosses for his work during the coronavirus pandemic.

The tribunal received three character references on behalf of Dr Kelly, with one person describing him as "extremely enthusiastic in everything", while adding they were “surprised” to hear of his actions.

The MPTS decision concluded: “The Tribunal was mindful that acts of dishonesty diminish the public’s confidence in the medical profession.

“It found that again public confidence and proper professional standards would be undermined if it did not find Dr Kelly’s fitness to practise impaired, given the seriousness of his misconduct.

“It therefore found Dr Kelly impaired because of his dishonest conduct.”

The Northern Echo: Dr Clive Kelly was arrested and handed a restraining order following a sustained campaign of harassmentDr Clive Kelly was arrested and handed a restraining order following a sustained campaign of harassment

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