NHS doctor charged with sexual abuse of 38 patients across West Midlands

A doctor working for the NHS faces charges for the sexual abuse of 38 patients across hospitals in the West Midlands and Staffordshire between 2017 and 2021, a revelation that has shocked British public opinion.

Authorities publicly released the identity and photographs of the doctor, Nathaniel Spencer. The indictment is exceptionally severe, including charges of sexual assault, assault by penetration, and child abuse. The 38-year-old must answer the charges when he appears in court on January 20, 2026.

The Accused’s Profile

Nathaniel Spencer originates from Quinton, Birmingham. He trained at the Medical University of Warsaw and gained full licence to practice in the UK in 2019. Spencer married a Polish graphic designer, and the couple, who have two children, actively attended the Kościół Zoe church, participating in services and ceremonies, including the baptism of their youngest daughter. Photographs shared by the church show Spencer receiving a blessing from the pastor and singing at community events.

His seemingly ideal family life and deep religious faith starkly contrast with the serious charges he now faces, causing shock within the community.

The Heavy Indictment
Spencer faces a total of 45 charges, which include:

15 counts of sexual assault

17 counts of assault by penetration

9 counts of sexual assault on a child under 13

3 counts of assault by penetration on a child under 13

1 count of attempted assault by penetration

The charges resulted from a lengthy police investigation at the Royal Stoke University and Russells Hall hospitals, where he worked. The cases involve patients under Spencer’s care between 2017 and 2021.

Hospital and Community Reaction

The two hospital trusts involved have established special helplines for former patients worried about the care they received. Management stressed that patient safety and welfare remain their top priority.

Dr. Paul Hudson, Chief Operating Officer for Medical Services at the Dudley Group NHS Foundation Trust, stated:

«We understand that many patients, staff and members of the community have been left upset. We are cooperating fully with the police and are committed to supporting the victims.»

The case now proceeds through the justice system. The General Medical Council temporarily suspended Spencer’s licence in October, pending an investigation into his fitness to practise. The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS), for its part, confirmed sufficient evidence exists to proceed with the prosecution.

The prosecutor handling the case said: «We decided to prosecute Nathaniel Spencer for a series of serious sexual offences against patients, including minors. Our lawyers worked extensively, supporting the complex police investigation and carefully reviewing the available evidence.»

Social and Ethical Impact

The case has caused shock in the local community, as patients and families must reconsider their trust in medical staff. Spencer’s seemingly normal life as a family man and devout Christian clashes intensely with the charges, sparking significant debate about ensuring patient safety and evaluating physician vetting procedures.

The hospitals have underscored the importance of supporting the victims and maintaining transparency in their procedures, while authorities insist justice will fully follow the legal route to ensure the accused is held accountable.