Doctor awarded £1m compensation

Dr Awotona quit her job in South Tyneside in May

A hospital consultant who fought a long-running battle to win her job back after being unfairly sacked has been awarded £1m compensation.

Dr Feyi Awotona was sacked from South Tyneside hospital in 1998.

South Tyneside NHS Foundation Trust was ordered to reinstate her to her £68,000 a year role after a tribunal ruled that she had suffered racial discrimination.

In a statement, the trust said it was "disappointed and shocked" at the level of the award.

Consultant obstetrician Dr Awotona quit her job in May after delays in reskilling procedures. She launched her case for compensation in June.

Her solicitor Jane Jelly, of law firm Hunt Kidd, said: "We are delighted with the result. Dr Awotona has travelled a long and difficult path.

Rebuild life

"The tribunal recognised that Dr Awotona is a doctor of considerable ability and ambition and that as a skilled clinician she is highly regarded by her peers and patients.

"But the experience Dr Awotona has had over the past several years make it unlikely that she will ever resume a career within the NHS."

Dr Awotona said she was pleased with the decision and it was now time for her to rebuild her life.

In a statement, the trust said it would be discussing the decision with its legal advisors to look at potential for an appeal.

It said: "We are disappointed and shocked at the level of award which has been made, particularly given the fact that Dr Awotona was reinstated and had the opportunity for long term employment within the NHS."

The trust said Dr Awotona had returned to her previous post at South Tyneside District Hospital and was required to do refresher training at another hospital in North Tyneside.

"She was unwilling to do this and withdrew from the reinstatement process in May of this year," it said.