A Medical Practitioners Tribunal found that consultant obstetrician and gynaecologist Dr Moboladale Ojutiku undertook private work at Chartwell Private Hospital, in Leigh, while he was contracted to be working for the Mid and South Essex NHS Trust.
The hearing, which took place virtually between Tuesday, May 26 and Monday, June 15, heard that Dr Ojutiku was worked at Basildon Hospital from 2000 until his retirement in May 2023.
The allegations related to conduct between April 2017 and May 2019.
It was proved at the tribunal that Dr Ojutiku carried out clinics for Ramsay Health Care UK on 44 occasions during periods when he was scheduled to undertake Supporting Professional Activities (SPA) for the NHS trust.
It also found that he received payments from both organisations for the same periods.
According to the tribunal, he received £24,042 from Ramsay Health and £5,425.60 from the trust relating to the sessions listed in the allegations.
The panel concluded that Dr Ojutiku knew he was not permitted to undertake work for another provider during his contracted NHS hours.
It was also stated that he knew he was required to work on site unless authorised otherwise, and had not obtained permission from the trust to carry out the private work.
The tribunal ruled that his conduct was dishonest.
In its sanction decision, the tribunal described the misconduct as “serious”, noting that the dishonesty occurred over a prolonged period, involved financial gain and demonstrated limited insight.
However, it stopped short of erasing Dr Ojutiku from the medical register.
The tribunal said there were no patient safety concerns and noted that Dr Ojutiku had continued to work for several years after the events without further complaint.
It concluded that suspension, rather than erasure, was the proportionate sanction.
A 12-month suspension was imposed, with a review hearing to take place before the end of the suspension period.
The tribunal also decided that no immediate suspension order was necessary, meaning the sanction will take effect after the appeal period unless an appeal is lodged.