A helpline has been set up for women worried about a doctor who worked at St John's Hospital, Chelmsford, in the obstetrics and gynaecology department.

Dr Henry Akpata worked at the hospital as a locum senior house officer in the department from August 31 to September 6, 1999, March 18 and 19, 2000, March 28 and 29, 2000 and October 14 and 15, 2000.

A spokesman for Mid Essex Hospital Services NHS Trust said: "Dr Akpata was not employed as a specialist registrar in this Trust and thus his work was at a more junior level, which did not require higher qualifications.

"We have received no complaints against Dr Akpata and are confident that patients received the appropriate care.

"Anybody with any concerns can ring the helpline."

The opening of the helpline, on Tuesday, comes after the doctor was jailed for a year after appearing at Wolverhampton Crown Court on Monday on ten charges of falsifying timesheets and claiming money to which he was not entitled.

Women can contact the helpline on 0208 410 8796, which will be manned between 8am and 6pm five days a week.

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Published Thursday, January 13, 2005

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