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Media doctor's future in balance Media doctor hit with suspension
(29 minutes later)
Celebrity psychiatrist Dr Raj Persaud's future as a doctor is in the balance after a disciplinary hearing found his fitness to practise was impaired. Celebrity psychiatrist Dr Raj Persaud's has been suspended from practising for three months over plagiarism.
Dr Persaud had admitted plagiarising others' work in a book and a series of articles - but denied being dishonest.Dr Persaud had admitted plagiarising others' work in a book and a series of articles - but denied being dishonest.
But the hearing rejected his defence this week and ruled he had brought his profession into disrepute.But the hearing rejected his defence this week and ruled he had brought his profession into disrepute.
The General Medical Council now needs to decide what action to take - this could include him being struck off. Explaining the decision, the General Medical Council panel said it wanted to send a message that his actions were "unacceptable".
However, the panel could also just impose restrictions on his work as a doctor, suspend him for a period of time, issue a warning or take no sanction at all. In a statement, the panel said it acknowledged patients had not been harmed and Dr Persaud's actions did not warrant being struck off.
In a statement, the panel said it acknowledged patients had not been harmed. And the statement also said: "Your misconduct occurred between three and five years ago and there has been no evidence that you have repeated this type of behaviour since.
"The panel considers that it is highly unlikely that you would ever repeat your actions in future."
But added it had "responsibility to protect the public interest, particularly with reference to maintaining public confidence in the profession and upholding proper standards of conduct and behaviour".But added it had "responsibility to protect the public interest, particularly with reference to maintaining public confidence in the profession and upholding proper standards of conduct and behaviour".
Dr Persaud is a former presenter of BBC Radio 4's All In The Mind, and appeared regularly on the television chat show This Morning.Dr Persaud is a former presenter of BBC Radio 4's All In The Mind, and appeared regularly on the television chat show This Morning.
Dr Persaud admitted plagiarising four research papers for his 2003 book From The Edge of The Couch.Dr Persaud admitted plagiarising four research papers for his 2003 book From The Edge of The Couch.
He also admitted copying the work of two foreign academics for five articles he wrote for publications including the British Medical Journal and The Independent.He also admitted copying the work of two foreign academics for five articles he wrote for publications including the British Medical Journal and The Independent.
He claimed he was in a confused mental state at the time because of the pressure of juggling his NHS and media work.He claimed he was in a confused mental state at the time because of the pressure of juggling his NHS and media work.
But Dr Anthony Morgan, chair of the GMC Fitness to Practise panel, had said he must have known his actions "would be considered dishonest by ordinary people".But Dr Anthony Morgan, chair of the GMC Fitness to Practise panel, had said he must have known his actions "would be considered dishonest by ordinary people".
Dr Persaud, 45, was first seen alongside Richard Madeley and Judy Finnigan on This Morning in 1994.Dr Persaud, 45, was first seen alongside Richard Madeley and Judy Finnigan on This Morning in 1994.
He has combined a high-profile media career with an equally successful career in psychiatry, and is currently employed as a consultant psychiatrist for the South London and Maudsley NHS Trust.He has combined a high-profile media career with an equally successful career in psychiatry, and is currently employed as a consultant psychiatrist for the South London and Maudsley NHS Trust.