A DOCTOR has been charged with sexually assaulting three female patients at Burnley General Hospital.

Police charged Dr Mannan Masud, 41, of London Walk, Blackburn, with three counts of sexual touching after three women made complaints of alleged inappropriate behaviour on August 20.

Dr Masud, who has years of medical experience including some in the surgical field, worked at the hospital doing clinical assessments but was not employed by the East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust, police said.

advertisementThe trust said that Dr Masud, who is believed to have trained abroad, was doing unpaid work experience at Burnley General Hospital.

The work experience was terminated when the allegations were made, the trust said.

After the allegations were made the hospital contacted the police.

He has been released on police bail and is due to attend Burnley Magistrates Court on October 22.

Detective Inspector Sam Birtwell said: "The police were contacted by Burnley General Hospital following complaints from patients that a doctor had acted in an indecent manner.

"A 41-year-old doctor working at the hospital carrying out clinical assesments was arrested and questioned and was given police bail pending further enquiries which have been completed.

"Yesterday he was charged with three counts of sexual touching.

"The three women were extremely distressed after the accident and are coming to terms with it.

"When it was initially reported it was not clear whether he was a doctor but we were able to identify him as a a doctor at an early stage.

"Dr Masud is a fully qualified doctor but we don't know whether he was registered with the BMA."

Peter Weller, head of assurance and safety for East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust said: "At the time of the alleged incident Dr Masud was undertaking an unpaid work experience placement - he was not an employee of the Trust.

"We took the allegations very seriously and co-operated fully with the police investigation.

"We are unable to comment or offer further information whilst the legal process is ongoing but we would like to offer reassurance that we have taken all the necessary action to ensure patient safety."