Sanctions for doctors found guilty of sexual misconduct may be too lenient in a significant minority of cases, a new review suggests. Nearly 24% of such doctors were allowed to continue practising after a suspension, despite the General Medical Council calling for erasure from the medical register. Researchers analysed 222 new Medical Practitioners Tribunal Service cases from August 2023 to August 2024, of which 55 involved sexual misconduct, including rape, sexual assault, harassment and offences against children. Nine decisions were not proved or not impaired by the tribunal. In 35 of the 46 sexual misconduct cases, the MPTS imposed the same sanction as the GMC had proposed. In 11 cases where the GMC had proposed erasure, the tribunal opted for suspension instead. All 46 cases involved male doctors, with around four in five in positions of authority. The authors say the disciplinary process relies on subjective evidence, which can lead to inconsistent sanctions for similar offences.

Lead author Mei Nortley, a consultant vascular surgeon, said the study should prompt reflection on whether the tribunal protects the public and upholds professional standards. She added that allowing rapists, sexual predators and those who use manipulation to return to practice raises questions about patient safety. RCS England described the findings as showing the current system is failing targets for misconduct. Professor Vivien Lees, vice president of RCS England, said the research highlights deeply concerning inconsistencies in sanctions for sexual misconduct before MPTS tribunals. She warned the failures risk leaving perpetrators in power and eroding trust in the profession.

Separately, a paper in The BMJ notes that an acute medical consultant found guilty of rape by an MPTS tribunal received a 12-month suspension, described as a one-off event. A 2024 case involved a transplant surgeon given an eight-month suspension for misconduct spanning a decade, including abusing power over trainees and non-consensual touching during surgery, with the GMC having called for erasure. Another case involved a doctor who instigated a sexual relationship with a vulnerable patient from age 14 and was suspended for 12 months, with the tribunal citing insight, remediation and remorse. Tamzin Cuming and Professor Carrie Newlands, speaking for the Working Party on Sexual Misconduct in Surgery, said the system fails staff and patients and needs reform to guarantee safe care. The GMC said it maintains a zero-tolerance approach and that it can appeal when sanctions are too lenient, with many appeals resulting in stronger sanctions. The Medical Pract Practitioners Tribunal Service said it recognises the impact of its decisions and will publish new guidance to help tribunals reach consistent and well-reasoned outcomes.