Anyone ever made a formal complaint about a doctor being inappropriate?

[Krazynights34]

Just that really. I’m very conflicted on whether to do something or not because I really doubt I’ll be believed and I don’t feel able to deal with potential tribunal hearings/witness statements.
Pretty sure the doctor would just deny it so in the absence of evidence (it’d be he said/she said) I’d just be making things worse for myself. I don’t want to give many details but it’s not my own doctor and it’s a case of inappropriate behaviour rather than malpractice or diagnoses etc.
Anyone ever had to do this? If so, what happened?

I made a complaint because my doctor was being a twat, and got a letter of apology from the practice manager.

First step - contact the practice manager for them to investigate or if it's fairly serious inappropriate behaviour (eg not something like saying you should lose weight or give up smoking) look at the GMC website about complaining.

Thanks! It’s of a sexual nature so hideously embarrassing but I’m so worried it could happen to other people too. I’m so scared (though I don’t really know why).

In that case definitely report him to the GMC.

I used to deal with complaints about doctors - you should definitely report this. You will be taken seriously, and this may already have happened to others so your evidence could be really important and part of a bigger picture.

GMC website

Is this someone involved in your medical care or someone you know personally? Is it a criminal matter, and if so have you contacted the police?

If it's of a sexual nature then my first port of call would be the police.

He'll be doing it to other people 😢 please try and report.

I complained directly to the GMC when I was sexually assaulted by my GP. It was 20 odd years ago though so the process may be different now.
I was called to a City lawyers office to give a signed witness statement, then received a letter a few months later to inform me that the GP had been formally cautioned and the other partners at his practice informed.
Although I don’t feel that the outcome fit the crime, it gave me some closure, and I hope that it stopped him doing the same to others.

Yes I have . it was not really taken seriously ...until it happened to someone else aswell, then I was called upon to give statements to various people . It was suddenly dropped as I believe the doctor in question decided to 'retire suddenly' . I was never given a full explanation tbh.

I forgot to add that the solicitor told me that mine wasn’t the only complaint against the GP. This may well be the case for you too and your complaint will help the GMC to build a case.

Thank you all! It’s my (extremely vulnerable and disabled) DC’s doctor. It happened a few months ago but I have to see them today and I feel sick. I’m married (NC for this) and told my husband of course. I’m scared because we had a really friendly relationship with him before this and he’s very popular etc so I utterly dread reporting it. I’d probably go straight to the GMC rather than the Trust because he is so popular there that I can’t see me getting anywhere. He’s a hospital based doctor and I called PALS last week and they were so so rude I was put off even more. I can’t handle the thought of this happening to other more vulnerable women. Thank you all for listening/replying

Can you record your next appointment on your phone?Pop it on record before you go in (obviously with dr being unaware!). Then you will have evidence.

Thanks! I had my husband with me and the doctor was just nasty to me whenever he had a chance. So I’ve written a letter and asked for a change in doctor. I’m going to speak to my GP to see if she can report him as I don’t feel I’d be believed at that hospital

Krazy that's awful. Its so easy to feel utterly powerless when its a doctor doing something

When I was 21 I was in Italy and accidentally set myself on fire (long story!) but I ended up in hospital with a large burn to my left boob and some minor ones. My Itailian was awful and I was in pain and shock I was scared enough as it was but when doctor started playing with my nipple and stroking my breast and telling me I was beautiful I didn't react as I should have both because I was in shock and because of language difficulties.

If it had been the UK Id have been back to complain the next day but I really wasn't up to doing it in Italian and had no idea about the system. I still regret I did nothing because who knows what he did to teh next girl / young woman. Please complain your DC won't be the only person he's doing this to.

If PALS won't help go to your MP and get them to file a formal written complaint on your behalf. Most MPs will go directly to the trust's chief exec and it will be followed through.

I hope your dc is OK, its a horrible thing to be treated in that way by someone you should be able to trust especially when you're by definition in a vulnerable position anyway

Thank you lists! It’s actually me the doctor tried it on with. He’d been saying things for a while at appointments that were subtle and I thought I was imagining it and then at one appointment when my husband was delayed started touching me (hands and legs so nothing as bad as happened to you!). I’m so sorry to hear about what happened m. Like you I just froze and I’m usually the best at complaining. It’s scary because my child is very young and vulnerable and he’s obviously using that fear to try to get me to comply. Horrible thing to do!

I did report him today

I haven't but really wish I had, years ago. It's so difficult to prove anything though, isn't it.

However, chances are if the doctor has been inappropriate with one person, it will have happened with others.

I'm glad you reported him. That's not an easy step to take, but... after reading through, I'd be surprised to find you were the first/only to complain! Even if nothing were ever to come of your report itself, it's possible it could be the straw that broke the camel's back.

Reporting these things is tough but so important that these professionals are called out on their shitty behaviour. If it went to a tribunal or witness statements you could be anonymised and they can take steps (evidence using screens/videolink, victim support, etc) so you won't have to see the doctor in question. There will be lots of info on GMC and MPTS websites.

Thank you all for your support. It means so much

I'm glad you reported him. I wouldn't be surprised if you are not the first person he has acted this way with.

Thank you for reporting him. Hopefully you've stopped him in his tracks or at least put some substantial obstacles in his way.

My complaint isn’t going so well, as I predicted... But I’m going to speak to the police tomorrow and have reported it directly to the GMC. This stuff is tough!