Drugs-theft doctor struck off for second time

In 2009, Dr Babatune Aranmolate was removed from the medical register but restored to it 2017 after displaying "significant efforts" to rehabilitate himself

A doctor has been struck off for the second time "to protect the public" after stealing medication and trying to cover up the theft.

In February 2023, Dr Babatunde Aranmolate removed drugs from a locked cupboard at Hillington Hospital, west London, without authorisation.

An NHS England tribunal heard that four days later, he gave them to a personal contact who was not a patient and did not require emergency treatment. He also took medication prescribed to another patient.

Between 1999 and 2006, Dr Aranmolate was the subject of a series of misconduct findings relating to false claims, dishonesty and a breach of suspension. He was erased from the medical register in 2009 but reinstated in 2017.

'Duty to act decisively'

Eight months after his recent misconduct, the doctor pressured two co-workers to give false statements, according to LDRS.

He asked one of the doctors to prepare a report for the General Medical Council (GMC) claiming discussions and a verbal warning had taken place.

He also indicated to her that he had already notified the GMC that she would write a statement to confirm what was false as true.

Dr Aranmolate drafted an email report for another doctor to send to the GMC and in July 2024 was interviewed by a senior clinician about the matter but continued to lie.

As a result, NHS England embarked on an inquiry about whether the medication had been stored correctly.

During the proceedings, the tribunal found Dr Aranmolate's fitness to practise to be impaired due to serious misconduct and multiple acts of dishonesty.

The tribunal considered a risk of repetition and ordered his erasure from the medical register and an immediate suspension "to protect the public".

A Hillingdon Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust spokesperson said: "Our role as a healthcare provider is to ensure all healthcare professionals working within our organisation adhere to the highest standards of professional conduct and patient safety.

"When these standards are not followed, we have a duty to act decisively and swiftly in the interest of our patients."