Doctor Suspended for Inappropriate Relationship with Teenage Patient Facing Criticism for "Light Touch" Punishment

A vulnerable patient has criticized the "light touch" punishment handed down to a doctor who engaged in an inappropriate relationship with her while she was a teenager. Dr Cian Hughes, 23, was suspended for misconduct, but not struck off, despite the General Medical Council's (GMC) recommendation. The patient, known as Patient A, was just 13 years old when Dr Hughes treated her in hospital, and they began a sexual relationship four years later. The Medical Practitioners Tribunal Service (MPTS) accepted Dr Hughes' admissions, apology, and "well-developed insight, remediation, and remorse" as mitigating factors, which led to the suspension. However, the GMC argued that Dr Hughes had shown a "blatant disregard" for the guidance around inappropriate relationships.

Key Takeaways:

• The patient, Patient A, who suffers from PTSD, has criticized the sanction as "light touch" and claims the MPTS process is "victim-hostile".
• Patient A was not allowed to give oral evidence in the MPTS hearing, despite saying she wanted to.
• Dr Hughes treated Patient A in hospital when she was 13 and started the sexual relationship with her four years later, when she was 17.
• The MPTS tribunal highlighted mitigating factors, including Dr Hughes' admissions, apology, and "well-developed insight, remediation, and remorse", which led to the suspension.
• The GMC argued that Dr Hughes had shown a "blatant disregard" for the guidance around inappropriate relationships.
• Dr Hughes is also facing undertakings from the Irish Medical Council, which includes not treating certain patient groups except under specified conditions.
• The suspension of Dr Hughes has been met with criticism from organizations such as Surviving in Scrubs, which claims the sanction does not reflect the severity of the case or the distress caused to victims.

Statistics:

• Patient A was 13 years old when Dr Hughes treated her in hospital.
• The sexual relationship between Dr Hughes and Patient A began four years later, when she was 17.
• The GMC argued that Dr Hughes had shown a "blatant disregard" for the guidance around inappropriate relationships.
• Dr Hughes was suspended for 12 months by the MPTS.
• The investigation into Patient A's report to the police was closed in April 2021 with no further action.

Sources:

• The Independent
• PA (Press Association)
• Medical Practitioners Tribunal Service (MPTS)
• General Medical Council (GMC)
• Surviving in Scrubs
• Irish Medical Council (IMC)
• Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences