Women who claim GP abused them to sue NHS Doctor killed himself after being informed of investigation
TWO women who claim they were abused by a Birmingham GP who killed himself after being told he was under investigation for sexual assault are launching legal action against the NHS.
The pair were both patients of Dr Philip Schuppler at Swanswell Medical Centre, Acocks Green, and claim they were abused at his surgery over a number of years.
They have now instructed specialist lawyers at Irwin Mitchell as they prepare to take legal action.
The 58-year-old doctor was found dead in his Solihull flat on November 1 last year, hours after being told by police about the complaints against him. The doctor had taken a heroin overdose.
The first alleged victim came forward last September to report that she had been assaulted in 1995 inside the Acocks Green surgery.
A second woman later told officers she had also been abused by the GP and a third alleged victim claimed she was sexually assaulted by the doctor during a routine examination.
Earlier this year a spokesman for West Midlands Police confirmed “a number of women” had come forward to report concerns.
One of the women has informed lawyers at Irwin Mitchell that when she tried to raise a complaint against Dr Schuppler, she was informed he was the one who would deal with it.
Both women have reported their experiences to the police. One spoke to officers in September 2016, the other approached police after news broke of Dr Schuppler’s death.
The first-hand accounts we have heard from our clients are heartbreaking Lawyer Raman Dhillon
Raman Dhillon, the specialist abuse lawyer at Irwin Mitchell, has urged other victims to come forward.
He said: “The first-hand accounts we have heard from our clients are heartbreaking and their bravery at coming forward is commendable.
“A GP is in a position of trust. However, in our work we have sadly seen times where a person’s doctor has abused their position and that person has then suffered in silence. We encourage anyone who has survived abuse to speak out and to not suffer in silence. We will work with our clients to support them and ensure their voices are heard.”
The NHS previously said it was cooperating with police and urged anyone with complaints about the doctor to contact the surgery, police or a helpline.
An NHS England spokesman said: “Patient safety is paramount and any concerns or allegations are taken seriously. We would support the police in any way and co-operate fully with any investigation. If patients have concerns they can discuss them with one of the GPs at their practice who should then take appropriate action. Or patients can contact the NHS England Contact Centre on 0300 311 22 33.