A former employee of Sandwell Hospital has been struck off for repeatedly sending a colleague sexually explicit messages, calling her endearing names such as “baby cakes,” and giving her inappropriate gifts, including lingerie.
Chris Smith began working with the woman, identified as Person A during the Health and Care Professions Tribunal Service hearing, in April 2019 via an agency. Between July 2019 and October 2020, Smith was employed as a band six senior theatre practitioner at Sandwell Hospital, part of the Sandwell and West Birmingham Hospitals NHS Trust.
Person A testified that after exchanging telephone numbers to cover shifts, she was overwhelmed by a barrage of unsolicited messages from Smith between July and December 2019, which caused her significant distress. She also described instances where Smith followed her at work, rested his head on her shoulder, and kissed her on the cheek without her consent.
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Smith reportedly gave Person A a “we value you” card from the NHS Trust emblazoned with inappropriate sexual comments. Additionally, he placed a chocolate bar in her bag wrapped with notes such as “I want you” and “baby cake” and presented her with lingerie as a Christmas gift.
Smith defended his actions by claiming there was a “culture of banter” in the workplace and suggested that Person A had shown reciprocal interest. He did not attend the hearing but submitted written statements denying inappropriate conduct, such as unwanted kisses and explicit remarks, and claimed any messages were consensual and private.
Person A rejected these claims, denying any flirtatious behavior and stating the only social interaction was a group Christmas event. She also clarified that a colleague, not her, had gifted Smith a personalized condom, contradicting his assertion.
The tribunal examined the text messages, finding many to be “wholly inappropriate and sexual in nature,” including explicit language and descriptions of sexual acts. The panel concluded there was no evidence the messages were welcome or reciprocated; instead, Person A had been subjected to persistent, one-way harassment that made her feel intimidated and threatened at work.
Though Smith had a previously clean record and offered a limited apology, the panel determined his repeated sexual misconduct was severe enough to warrant striking him off. The tribunal emphasized that Smith failed to show remorse or attempt remediation and did not attend the hearing.
As a result, Smith’s name was removed from the professional register, a sanction deemed necessary to uphold workplace safety and professional standards within the NHS.