The process for dealing with doctors accused of sexual misconduct needs urgent reform, according to an editorial in the British Medical Journal, which says sanctions are inconsistent and leave the victims traumatised.

Examples were given, including a 12-month suspension for a doctor who had a sexual relationship with a teenage patient, the same for a doctor found to have raped a young woman – the panel described it as a “one-off” attack – and in Manchester, a doctor who left a patient during an operation to have sex with a nurse faced no sanctions.

Complaints against doctors are made to the General Medical Council, which investigates and can refer them to the Medical Practitioners Tribunal Service. The GMC funds the service but it is independent.

Research for the Royal College of Surge

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