Has my GP done something weird??

[Lovemynailstoday]

Right, not sure where to post this but it is obviously health related. My GP (whom I really like and has been very supportive over various personal and family related issues) has a chaperone with him. By that, I mean he has a female "minder" in his room every time I go in. I have checked on the GMC website and it says he has "conditions" attached to his licence--i.e he cannot be alone with a female patient and has to have a chaperone! This will be in place for next 18 months.

My question is--does anyone have any idea what would constitute having such an arrangement? I like him, but need to know I can trust him IYKWIM

[LaCiccolina]

Eeek! I'd be changing doctor! No idea but like u don't like sound of that!!!!

[SantasHairyBollock]

I would ask the practice manager, he has clearly done something and I too would want to know what it is so I can decide whether or not I am happy to be treated by him. Have you tried googling to see if there was a conviction at all?

It may be an unfounded allegation by a dodgy patient but IMHO the GMC is usually very kind to their own so I would suspect some kind of iffy behaviour has gone on.

[Lovemynailstoday]

No, there is nothing "out there" on the internet. Yes, I assume someone has accused him of something and the GMC has slapped his wrist, so to speak. I would assume that if it was really serious he would be struck off.

I don't go to see him very often, but it is very weird having a silent observer in the corner. I suppose it's the same as having a student or some such arrangement. How mortifying for him.

[knackeredmother]

All doctors should have a chaperone whe examining. The GMC is clear on this although it can be difficult in practice to find someone free.

[ginmakesitallok]

Mortifying for him?? THe GMC don't place conditions on doctors lightly - if he has a chaperone because of conditions placed on him then I would be thinking about changing doctors. (usually you can get some info re what the conditions are/what the complaint was on the GMC website?)

[utahforever]

Could it be that he has got 'close' to one of his patients.

I could see that he could get into trouble with the GMC for this, but not struck off if both parties were willing.

[ginmakesitallok]

Oh- and don't assume that because he wasn't struck off it wasn't something important. I know of one doctor who was found guilty of serious misconduct and yet was still allowed to practice under conditions. If he has 18 months of conditions then he has been found guilty of something pretty major

[XBenedict]

DH is a GP and always has a chaperone (he has no conditions attached to his licence).

I can ask DH what sort of thing he thinks might have happened if you like as in our experience with the GMC they tolerate very little and will suspend pending further investigation if accusations are made.

[XBenedict]

It's his policy, always has been.

Was this person definitely a chaperone, could she have been a medical supervisor?

[iklboo]

It won't be a 'dodgy' complaint if he's actually been given conditions by the GMC. Plus he / his defence team agree to those conditions do there may have been some admission of guilt or wrong-doing. Sometimes, though, it can be an interim measure for patient and doctors' own safety while an investigation is still ongoing.

[ginmakesitallok]

If an investigation was ongoing then the conditions would not be for a set amount of time, and I don't think would be on the GMC website.

[Sunnywithshowers]

He may have been accused of something OP. I saw a specialist who had been accused, and acquitted of, sexual misconduct. However, he had a nurse with him in the room at all times. It's possible he doesn't want to leave himself open to accusation.

[ginmakesitallok]

Read the OP!! The GMC have attached conditions - they don't do this if he was acquitted! "I have checked on the GMC website and it says he has "conditions" attached to his licence--i.e he cannot be alone with a female patient and has to have a chaperone! This will be in place for next 18 months."

[Lovemynailstoday]

I take the point about it being good practise to have a chaperone re examinations. Fair comment. But--he has one for every female appointment, not just when he is likely to be examining someone physically. The chaperone is on "stand by" at reception and accompanies him in to his office IF the next patient is a female. I have pretty good radar for sleazy behaviour and I have never felt threatened or intimidated by him. By choice I see a female GP if it is for a "lady's" issue. I suppose I will never know if I don't ask either him or the practise manager. I am curious rather than worried, if that makes sense.

[iklboo]

It's true - 18 months conditions is pretty hardcore. It's about as long as they can impose conditions for at any one time (although they can have review hearings at shorter periods to make sure the doctor is complying with them. At the end of the 18 months they can extend them further if they're not satisfied with him).