Shock and distress have swept through the West Midlands following the charging of a former doctor, Nathaniel Spencer, with a string of alleged sexual assaults against 38 patients under his care. Spencer, 38, of Quinton in Birmingham, faces a total of 45 serious charges, including sexual assault, assault by penetration, and offences against children under the age of 13, according to the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS). The alleged offences took place at two major hospitals—Royal Stoke University Hospital in Stoke-on-Trent and Russells Hall Hospital in Dudley—between 2017 and 2021, as reported by BBC and other major outlets.
The details of the case, as outlined by the CPS, are stark. Spencer is charged with 15 counts of sexual assault, 17 counts of assault by penetration, nine counts of sexual assault of a child under 13, three counts of assault of a child under 13 by penetration, and one count of attempting to assault by penetration. All 38 alleged victims were patients at the hospitals where Spencer worked during the period in question. He is due to appear at the North Staffordshire Justice Centre on January 20, 2026, as confirmed by multiple news sources including BBC and The Guardian.
The charges stem from what Staffordshire Police have described as a "complex investigation" into alleged sexual offences at the two hospitals. According to Ben Samples, Deputy Chief Crown Prosecutor for the West Midlands CPS Complex Casework Unit and Serious Violence, Organised Crime and Exploitation Unit, "Our prosecutors have worked at length to support a detailed and complex investigation by Staffordshire Police, carefully reviewing the available evidence to establish that there is sufficient evidence to bring the case to trial and that it is in the public interest to pursue criminal proceedings." This statement, echoed across several reports, underscores the gravity and careful consideration behind the decision to prosecute.
Spencer's professional history traces back to his time as a resident doctor, previously known as a junior doctor, at the University Hospitals of North Midlands (UHNM) NHS Trust from August 2017 to August 2020. He later served on placement at The Dudley Group NHS Foundation Trust, managing Russells Hall Hospital, from August 2020 to April 2021. Both trusts have taken steps to address patient concerns, setting up dedicated helplines for those who may have questions about the care they received during Spencer's tenure. The Dudley Group NHS Foundation Trust has provided a helpline at 01384 322 311, reaffirming its commitment to patient safety and support during this period of uncertainty.
Dr. Paul Hudson, the medical director at the Dudley Group NHS Foundation Trust, acknowledged the emotional impact of the news on the community. "We understand that many of our patients, staff, and people in the wider community will find this news very distressing. Anyone with concerns or questions about the care they have received in our hospital should contact our dedicated helpline on 01384 322 311. Our dedicated colleagues continue to support those affected by these issues, while cooperating with the police and relevant authorities in their investigations, throughout the process. Although we cannot comment on an ongoing criminal process, we would like to reassure the public that the safety and well-being of our patients and their relatives remains our highest priority," Dr. Hudson said, as quoted by BBC and The Independent.
Similarly, the University Hospitals of North Midlands NHS Trust emphasized its commitment to patient safety. "As this is an ongoing criminal process, we cannot comment further at this time but we would like to reassure the public that the safety and well-being of our patients and their relatives are our highest priority," the Trust stated, as reported by BBC.
In response to the charges, the General Medical Council (GMC) has suspended Nathaniel Spencer from medical practice in the UK while investigations continue. The GMC confirmed that it had taken action to prevent Spencer from practising and that its own investigation would resume once criminal proceedings have concluded. "Mr Spencer remained suspended until that time," the GMC stated, as reported by BBC.
The scale and seriousness of the allegations have prompted both local and national responses. Staffordshire Police, who led the investigation, have provided avenues for the public to come forward with any concerns or information. Anyone wishing to contact the investigation team can do so via the Staffordshire Police website at mipp.police.uk/operation/STAFFS22R02-PO1 or by leaving a voicemail on 01785 234999. The hospitals involved have also encouraged anyone with concerns to reach out to their respective helplines, reinforcing the message that support is available to all affected.
The case has also highlighted the protocols and safeguards in place within the UK’s medical system for responding to such serious allegations. The swift suspension of Spencer by the GMC, the establishment of helplines by both hospital trusts, and the collaborative approach between the NHS, police, and CPS all reflect a broader commitment to transparency and accountability in the face of distressing events. As Dr. Hudson noted, "Our dedicated colleagues continue to support those affected by these issues, while cooperating with the police and relevant authorities in their investigations, throughout the process."
For many in the community, the news has been deeply unsettling. The thought that a trusted medical professional could face such grave accusations has left patients, staff, and families grappling with shock and concern. As reported by The Guardian, the charges include offences against children under the age of 13, adding an additional layer of distress and urgency to the public response. While the CPS has not provided further details about the number of children involved, citing the ongoing nature of the investigation, the impact of the allegations is already being felt across the region.
Looking ahead, all eyes will be on the North Staffordshire Justice Centre in January 2026, when Spencer is due to appear in court. The legal process is expected to be closely watched, both for its implications for the accused and for what it reveals about safeguarding practices within the NHS. The CPS has reiterated that the decision to prosecute was not taken lightly, with Ben Samples stating: "We have decided to prosecute Nathaniel Spencer for a number of serious sexual offences allegedly carried out against patients while he was working as a doctor – including assault by penetration and sexual assault against a child."
As the investigation and legal proceedings continue, the hospitals involved, law enforcement, and regulatory bodies remain focused on supporting those affected and maintaining public trust. The case serves as a sobering reminder of the importance of vigilance, transparency, and robust safeguarding measures within healthcare settings. For now, the community waits for justice to take its course, hoping for answers and reassurance in the wake of these troubling allegations.
