Doctor escapes reprimand despite swearing at patients

Doctors have escaped punishment despite complaints that one told patients to ‘‘f--- off ” and another told a female patient “It was my pleasure” after an intimate examination.

Other medics were alleged to have lost their tempers, slammed the phone down on pensioners and been rude, aggressive and intimidating to patients, according to claims lodged with the General Medical Council (GMC).

In one case, a surgeon who was challenged by a patient’s relation because they were left on the ward while other people went under the knife, stormed off saying: “I don’t want to talk to you people and I am not going to operate.”

In another, a patient who read his medical notes found his doctor had described him as “bonkers” and a “big pain” for asking repetitive questions. The medic admitted his actions were inexcusable and inappropriate.

The GMC recorded a total of 62 cases in the past three years where it gave advice to doctors who were said to be either rude to a patient or verbally abusive. Details of those cases have been released by the GMC.

In nearly all the cases, there was a conflict between the patient’s evidence and what the doctor claimed to have said or done. But all the cases were said to fall below the level of evidence needed for the GMC to take tougher action.

One medic received advice after telling a female patient it was “my pleasure” when his intimate examination on her ended. He claimed it was an innocent comment made in response to the patient thanking him, but accepted it could have been misinterpreted.

In another case a patient claimed she was called a “cow” by a doctor, while in a different case hospital colleagues complained a doctor said a psychiatric patient was a “bitch”.

One medic, who had previously been disciplined about the way he spoke to patients, was let off despite a claim that he turned his back on them and said “Oh, f--- off.”

Joyce Robins, co-director of Patient Concern, said: “Fourteen years ago the Bristol Royal Infirmary inquiry recommended doctors should taperecord interviews with patients. But the medical profession opposed it. So we still have the position where patients hear one thing, doctors report another, and when there are only two people in a consulting room, the chances of having a complaint upheld are nil.”

‘When there are only two people in a consulting room, the chances of having a complaint upheld are nil’