GP struck off for patient affair

http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/england/west_yorkshire/7506370.stm

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A married GP from West Yorkshire has been struck off for having a four-year affair with a vulnerable patient.

The General Medical Council (GMC) heard father-of-six Dr Keith Fraser, 53, took advantage of the woman who he was treating for anxiety and depression.

The panel was told the doctor, who worked at the Highfield Medical Centre in Bradford, called the woman up to 20 times a day asking for sex.

The GMC said his conduct was incompatible with him being a GP.

Dr Fraser, of Menston, near Bradford, began the relationship by hugging and kissing the woman in the surgery before he later booked a hotel room for them in York, the panel was told. You took advantage of your position as the patient's doctor GMC panel

Giving evidence at the hearing in Manchester, the woman said they eventually had sex because she felt sorry for him when he said he had not had a sexual relationship with his wife for six years.

The panel concluded Dr Fraser was "well aware" of the patient's vulnerability as he referred her for an assessment with a consultant psychiatrist during their relationship.

'Genuine remorse'

"The panel is concerned that although your misconduct relates to one patient it continued for approximately four years," it stated.

"The panel considers you had ample opportunity to consider your actions and it was your responsibility to terminate the relationship.

"Instead you took advantage of your position as the patient's doctor."

The hearing was told various testimonials had been received which described him as a "good clinician who was well-liked by colleagues and patients".

Dr Fraser had also apologised for his actions and showed genuine remorse but the panel said the mitigating factors "cannot adequately counter balance the gravity of your behaviour".

The panel concluded: "The panel has determined that your conduct is fundamentally incompatible with your continuing to be a registered medical practitioner and it is therefore both proportionate and necessary in the public interest to direct that your name be erased from the medical register."