Doctors quitting police forensic work over concern at court delays

● BMA Scotland says issue ‘must be addressed’ as doctors share concerns about impact on patients

Doctors are withdrawing their services as forensic medical examiners due to frustrations with Scotland’s courts, it has emerged.

The justice system currently relies on NHS doctors who are paid to work with the police, carrying out work such as examining victims of physical and sexual assaults and collecting samples for DNA testing.

But BMA Scotland said time wasted due to re-scheduled court appearances where they are called to give evidence left many doctors concerned about the impact on patient care.

The trade union said there was anecdotal evidence that clinicians were already withdrawing from the work amid frustrations which “must be addressed”.

It followed a submission to an ongoing inquiry into the work of the Crown Office by forensic medical examiner Dr Gary Cooney.

Writing to the Scottish Parliament’s justice committee,

0 Doctors carry out forensic medical work such as examining victims of physical and sexual assaults for police forces and scheduling of court appearances.”

A BMA Scotland spokeswoman said: “Doctors provide an invaluable service when called to give professional evidence to assist our courts. But it is imperative that steps are taken to ensure disruption to their clinical roles are kept to a minimum.

“Time wasted establishing whether there is a requirement to attend court is stressful for doctors who are already dealing with unprecedented pressures and this could have a knock-on effect on that individual’s availability to provide patient care.

“There is anecdotal evidence to suggest clinicians are deciding to discontinue their work as a result of their frustrations, which is concerning and must be addressed.”

A Crown Office spokesman said: “As prosecutors we always endeavour to minimise, where we can, the inconvenience to any witness during criminal proceedings.”