Protecting or enabling? A review of medical practitioner tribunals involving sexual misconduct (18 September 2025)

Summary

In a study published in the Royal College of Surgeons of England's Bulletin, Mei Nortley and colleagues argue that the system for handling alleged sexual misconduct by doctors is in urgent need of reform and requires enhanced specialist training for tribunal panel members.

Content

Key messages

• Sexual misconduct perpetrated by doctors is a significant and serious issue that requires a robust framework for investigation and punishment.
• The disciplinary process against doctors involves an over-reliance on subjective evidence, which can lead to inconsistent sanctions for similar offences.
• Nearly a quarter (24%) of MPTS sanction outcomes were less severe than those recommended by the General Medical Council.
• Given the complex nature and high incidence of sexual assault allegations (over 50% of cases analysed), MPTS panel members require enhanced and specialised training to adequately address cases involving sexual misconduct against patients, colleagues and children.
• The tribunal process can be re-traumatising for victim-survivors of sexual misconduct, underscoring a critical need for significantly better support, including consistent provision of legal advice and dedicated witness advocates.
• The existing regulatory framework is fundamentally unsuited to managing the unique and nuanced elements of sexual misconduct, necessitating urgent and major reform to establish a competent and safe system for patients, professionals and the public.