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GP struck off over indecent behaviour towards female patients

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9 April 2009

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A doctor has been struck off after abusing a number of female patients by carrying out “sexually motivated” examinations, a medical panel said.

Alan Tutin, 60, behaved “reprehensibly” towards four women between 1984 and 1989 and another in 1999 while working as a GP at the Merrow Park Surgery in Guildford, Surrey, the General Medical Council (GMC) said.

At the disciplinary hearing in central London, the GMC’s Fitness to Practise Panel also found that he had been insensitive and rude towards a further two women.

Chairman Andrew Popat said that Dr Tutin carried out intimate examinations in a manner that was inappropriate and for his own gratification, and asked intrusive and inappropriate questions about his patients’ sex lives.

He also made sexual advances towards a trainee GP, who depended on him to sign off her training.

Mr Popat added: “His reprehensible conduct amounts to behaviour which is fundamentally incompatible with being a registered medical practitioner.

“Patients are entitled to expect that when they consult with a doctor, they will be treated with dignity and respect, not that they will be abused for the practitioner’s sexual gratification. If members of the public do not trust their doctors, then their healthcare is placed at risk.

The doctor, who denied the sexual abuse allegations, admitted calling adult telephone lines from the surgery but said he was under stress at the time. He has the right to appeal over the decision.

Copyright © Press Association 2009

General Medical Council