Award Winning Medical Doctor, Sandra Ndirika Took Vulnerable Patient’s Card And Cloned It
Wolverhampton, UK – 10 September 2025
An award-winning doctor at New Cross Hospital has been suspended from practice after stealing a vulnerable patient’s wallet and cloning their bank card to make purchases online.
Dr. Sandra Chika Ndirika, a urology specialist once recognised by the British Association of Urological Surgeons, pleaded guilty to two counts of theft and seven counts of fraud by false representation at Wolverhampton Magistrates’ Court.
According to the Medical Practitioners Tribunal Service (MPTS), Dr. Ndirika removed £30 from a patient’s wallet during a clinic visit before cloning the patient’s bank card. She later used the stolen details to order items online. Investigators also found she had used a nurse’s bank card to buy food for herself.
The offences took place on 22 May 2023 while she was working in Wolverhampton. In January 2024, Dudley Magistrates’ Court sentenced her to a total of 32 weeks in prison, suspended for 18 months, and ordered her to pay £455 in compensation.
Suspension from Medical Practice
The tribunal heard that Ndirika, who once won a national urology award, had admitted all allegations when interviewed under caution. The panel imposed a 12-month suspension from the medical register, noting the seriousness of her breach of trust and the impact on public confidence in healthcare professionals.
In her submissions, Dr. Ndirika expressed remorse:
“I recognise that my actions hurt two innocent individuals and affected their ability to trust in healthcare professionals … I am deeply sorry.”
Background of Personal Struggles
The tribunal report cited evidence that Dr. Ndirika had been under severe personal stress and grief at the time of the offences, but stressed this did not excuse her behaviour. The panel noted she had begun remedial steps, including counselling and supervision, to address the factors leading to her criminal actions.
Next Steps
A review hearing will be held before the end of her suspension to assess whether she can safely return to practice. Until then, she is prohibited from working as a doctor in the UK.
The case has shocked colleagues and patients alike, given her previous reputation and accolades in the medical field.
