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Dating ex-patients wrong - GMC

24.10.2006 - Sexual relationships between doctors and former patients are "usually inappropriate", the GMC says.

The GMC said this was the case no matter how much time had elapsed since the doctor had treated the patient.

The report, Good Medical Practice, also sets standards for providing good practice and care for patients.

Patients' groups said the guide was "laudable", but it should have set out requirements, and not expectations.

The document says doctors "must not pursue a sexual relationship with a former patient" if the patient was vulnerable, such as suffering mental health problems or showing a lack of maturity, at the time of the professional relationship.

"Pursuing a sexual relationship with a former patient may be inappropriate, regardless of the length of time elapsed since the therapeutic relationship ended," it adds.

"This is because it may be difficult to be certain that the professional relationship is not being abused."

It continues: "If circumstances arise where a sexual relationship may start, then a doctor should take account of when the professional relationship ended and how long it lasted, the nature of the previous professional relationship, whether the patient was particularly vulnerable at the time of the professional relationship, and whether they are still vulnerable."

'Laudable' sentiments

The guide recommends doctors should also consider whether they are caring for other members of the patient's family.

The GMC, which regulates the UK's 240,000 registered doctors, also wants to increase awareness of what patients should expect from their doctor.

Patients will also be encouraged by doctors to look after their own health more.

The launch is being supported by a poster campaign in 40,000 GP surgeries and hospitals across the UK.

GMC president Sir Graeme Catto said the organisation "meant business" with the document and that the "age of deference has gone".

He said the GMC believed the guidelines should be followed and added: "If there are persistent or serious failures then we at the GMC will be asking questions why.

"We mean business with this document."

But Joyce Robins, co-director of Patient Concern, said: "The words are good, the sentiments laudable, but what patients and the public will want to know is how the GMC intends converting them into genuinely better conduct and care."