Court upholds return of surgeon who harassed staff

"James Gilbert worked as a senior registrar at Oxford University Hospitals (OUH) NHS Trust in 2008 and 2009, and later as a consultant from 2010 to 2022. He was suspended from practising for 12 months in 2024, but the Medical Practitioners Tribunal Service (MPTS) restored his right to practise last year. The General Medical Council (GMC) appealed against that decision, arguing he should have been removed from the medical register. However, the Court of Appeal has now dismissed the challenge."

"The MPTS previously said Gilbert had "taken positive action to ensure that his misconduct is not repeated", and found his fitness to practice was no longer impaired, meaning he could return to working on 12 September. Gilbert, who trained at the University of Southampton, told an earlier hearing that he now wanted to be an "ambassador for change in challenging power imbalances between senior and junior colleagues"."

An attempt to prevent James Gilbert returning to practice has failed after the Court of Appeal dismissed the General Medical Council's challenge. Gilbert worked at Oxford University Hospitals as a senior registrar (2008–2009) and consultant (2010–2022). He was suspended for 12 months in 2024, but the MPTS restored his right to practise, finding his fitness to practise no longer impaired and noting he had taken positive action. Allegations include sexual harassment of four female colleagues and racist comments. Gilbert expressed a desire to challenge power imbalances between senior and junior staff. The GMC maintains he should be struck off.

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