Are you a UK doctor with a legal issue?
Call us on 020 7060 1776 or request a callback
Sexual Misconduct and Your Duty to Report Colleagues to the GMC
Inappropriate Sexual Behaviour and Your Duty to Report Colleagues to the General Medical Council
Sexual Misconduct – The GMC publication “Good Medical Practice” outlines a doctor’s duty to report a colleague if you have any concerns that they may not be fit to practise and may be putting patents at risk.
The first step is to ask advice from a colleague or the GMC. If you are still concerned you must report your concerns and keep a record of the steps taken. A doctor must never use their professional position to pursue a sexual or improper emotional relationship with a patient or someone close to them. If a patient tells you about sexual misconduct over a breach of sexual boundaries or you have reason to believe that a colleague has or may have breached sexual boundaries you must report your concerns to a person in your organisation who can initiate an investigation into the allegation.
If you suspect that a colleague has committed a sexual assault you should contact the police.
A doctor must never use their professional position to pursue a sexual or improper emotional relationship with a patient or someone close to them."
Whilst you must respect patient confidentiality, patient safety is paramount. You should seek permission of the patient first and explain the duty of disclosure. If the patient does not consent to your disclosure you must consider whether disclosure is in the public interest and if so explain to the patient that you intend to disclose the information.
- If you have been accused of an inappropriate relationship at work we can help.
- If you have been referred to the GMC for allegations of inappropriate behaviour with a patient we can help.
- If you have disclosed information about a colleague and have been criticised for that disclosure by your employer or the GMC and are unhappy about what had happened we can help.
Accused of an inappropriate relationship at work?
Our GMC Defence Barristers are here to help!
Get in touch with us for professional advice and assistance with your case
If concerns about your practise have been expressed to designated individuals within in your organisation and investigation into the allegation have been initiated with the GMC, you need to act. We always recommend engaging our defence barristers at an early stage as this often leads to far greater probability of success investigations or referrals to the GMC. We are able to advise doctors facing sexual misconduct issues over allegations that they have breached sexual boundaries.
If you require professional legal assistance, please contact us.
Are you a UK Doctor with a legal issue?
Call GMC Defence Barristers today