A DOCTOR who allegedly treated up to 15,000 women over seven years when he was not authorised to do so started his career at Burnley General Hospital.

Dr Henry Akpata, a Nigerian immigrant, worked as a junior doctor in obstetrics and gynaecology for the former Burnley Healthcare NHS Trust from February 1996, after entering the country in 1995.

He was always supervised by a consultant during his time at Burnley, and no wrongdoing is alleged during this time.

But after six months in the job Akpata, 61, who had qualified as a doctor in Germany in 1973, left Burnley and went on to work in up to 35 hospitals across Britain.

On Monday he was jailed for a year at Wolverhampton Crown Court after admitting 10 charges of false accounting by falsifying time sheets.

Charges relating to his bogus qualification, which he denied, were allowed to lie on file but he faces being struck off. Akpata allegedly claimed he was a member of the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists to secure lucrative works as a locum delivering children and performing Caesarean deliveries, the court was told.

But the court heard he had failed the college's membership exam three times.

Akpata's qualifications went unchecked until he was caught falsifying time sheets and claiming £80,000 for hours he had not worked, the court was told.

A national helpline has been set up for women who had concerns about being treated by Dr Akpata after his medical competence was questioned.

East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust acting chief executive Richard Gildert said: "Dr Akpata worked for the former Burnley Healthcare NHS Trust as a junior doctor in Obstetrics and Gynaecology at Burnley General Hospital from February to August 1996.

"In this role he would always have been supervised by a consultant. There is nothing on file to suggest there was anything untoward during his employment with us."

Women with concerns can call the NHS on 020 8 410 8796.