- Medical tribunals are criticised for failing victims by issuing lenient sanctions, such as suspensions instead of outright bans, to doctors accused of sexual misconduct.
- New research reveals that over a third of doctors facing sexual misconduct tribunals in 2023-24 were permitted to return to work after receiving short suspensions.
- The General Medical Council (GMC) has frequently challenged the Medical Practitioner’s Tribunal Service (MPTS) in court over decisions to impose more lenient penalties than recommended.
- Notable cases include a doctor accused of rape receiving a 12-month suspension and a surgeon allowed to work again after multiple sexual harassment allegations, despite GMC recommendations for erasure.
- Campaigners warn that the current system protects perpetrators rather than patients, leading to victims feeling let down and potentially discouraging future reporting of abuse.
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