"UK doctors who are guilty of sexual misconduct are not being appropriately sanctioned due to weak disciplinary processes, research reveals. Nearly a quarter (24%) of doctors found guilty of sexual misconduct were handed suspensions but allowed to continue working in medicine, according to analysis of fitness to practice tribunals by the Royal College of Surgeons (RCS). This is despite the regulator, the General Medical Council (GMC), recommending they be struck off the medical register."
"The study analysed 222 new MPTS tribunal cases between August 2023 and August 2024 and found that out of the 46 proven cases of sexual misconduct identified, the MPTS imposed the same disciplinary sanction as the GMC recommended in 35. In 11 cases, the MPTS decided to only suspend the doctor rather than erase them from the medical register, and in no case did the MPTS impose a tougher sanction."
Between August 2023 and August 2024 there were 222 new Medical Practitioners Tribunal Service (MPTS) tribunal cases, yielding 46 proven cases of sexual misconduct. In 35 of those 46 cases the MPTS imposed the same sanction recommended by the General Medical Council (GMC); in 11 cases the MPTS imposed suspension rather than erasure, and no cases received a tougher sanction. All identified perpetrators were male and over 80% held positions of authority. Several cases involved multiple targets, indicating repeated and systemic abuse. Concerns exist about consistency and adequacy of disciplinary sanctions and protection of the public.
Read at www.theguardian.com
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