How to raise a concern about sexual misconduct

If you or someone you know is a victim of any form of sexual misconduct by a doctor, physician associate or anaesthesia associate, you have different options for raising a concern.

Often, the best place to raise your concern is with their employer (hospital, general practice (GP) or clinic where you received care) if you feel comfortable to do so. Employers have a critical role in identifying and tackling sexual misconduct and making sure that they've taken steps to protect patients and colleagues. They are also well placed to refer any serious concerns that we should be investigating to us.

Reporting a doctor, physician associate or anaesthesia associate to their employer

Within an NHS or HSC organisation, you can raise a concern locally through speaking to the their line manager, clinical supervisor or human resources department.

For perpetrators who are trainees, you can report to their employer or alternatively to their training provider (NHS England Workforce, Training and Education, Health Education and Improvement Wales, Health Education Scotland, or Northern Ireland Medical and Dental Training Agency) or training programme director.

It’s normal to feel nervous about reporting a doctor, physician associate or anaesthesia associate and you may not want to report them to their employer for a number of reasons. There is no obligation for you to report them to their employer. We will still consider your concern whether you’ve done this or not, but it will be easier for us to investigate if their employer is involved.

Raising your concerns with the GMC

You can raise a concern about a doctor, physician associate (PA) or anaesthesia associate (AA) directly with us. We take every concern seriously and will investigate where we consider that they may pose a risk to the public, which includes patients as well as colleagues.

You may have been subject to sexual misconduct directly or be acting on behalf of someone who has. You may be unsure if what has happened to you is sexual misconduct or not.

If you are concerned in any way, please get in touch with us for advice and support.