Derbyshire doctor struck off over harassment claims Published duration 29 July 2010

The General Medical Council (GMC) has struck off a doctor after complaints that he sexually harassed female patients over a 12-year period.

Dr Andrew Clayton, 54, practised as a consultant psychiatrist in South Derbyshire from 1987 until 2008.

The panel heard he had shown sexually motivated behaviour towards two patients and two trainee workers.

In two cases he asked patients to undress for unnecessary breast examinations without a chaperone.

In September 1990, a patient consulted Dr Clayton at his Swadlincote clinic where he asked her to undress down to the waist and palpitated each of her breasts.

There was no chaperone present during the breast examination.

Sex offenders register

In October 1998, a patient told Dr Clayton she was pregnant and expressed concern that her inverted nipples might interfere with breast feeding.

Dr Clayton examined her breasts in an inappropriate manner and did not have a chaperone present, which was not in line with normal practice, the GMC said.

Dr Clayton was suspended in December 2008.

He was convicted at Derby Crown Court in May 2009 of four counts of making an indecent photograph of a child and two counts of possessing an indecent photograph of a child for distribution.

He was given a three-year supervision order and placed on the sex offenders register for five years.

The panel was told he also had written a prescription, in January 2009, for a month's supply of an antidepressant for his own personal use, which was a breach of his suspension.