that the consultant psychiatrist’s registration as a medical practitioner be cancelled with immediate effect for professional misconduct and “moral turpitude” over the relationship.
When confronted with the misconduct allegations, he admitted he used his professional position to engage in an emotional or sexual relationship with the patient which was of an exploitative nature. The doctor did not appeal the Medical Council’s recommendation, which was also in line with a Fitness to Practise Committee report, that he be struck off. He did not attend court and was not represented.
She was still a highly vulnerable person but the course taken by the psychiatrist in admitting the allegations undoubtedly saved her from having to give traumatic testimony, he added.