Doctor Found That Abused My Sister

[worrier]

Can you legally put a notification in a newspaper asking if anyone has had dealings with a certain doctor, during his time he was a doctor, he is being questioned soon, there are 3 victims already....other people have said there were rumours...The police say they cannot delve as they will be criticised...if this is not legal any ideas how to get the word out to see if there are others out there

[Tilly2]

The police say they cannot delve as they will be criticised...

Are you sure?

[murraymints]

Oo I shouldn't think so....tread very carefully....you may leave yourself open to all manner of counter actions for defamation by insinuation...

[tonyav]

Surely if someone has made a complaint to the police about this doctors behaviour then I should think it is the police's duty to investigate it.

[DTCwordfan]

Absolutely what minty says as to libel or even slander - if your sister has a credible case, she should present her evidence to the police and then, with any bite, go for a civil case against him.

[kvalidir]

I wouldn't put an advert in no, but a leak might be another thing. Nothing to stop you mentioning to one of their journalists that you 'heard' a 'certain Dr' was to be questioned by police as that appears to be quite true and not defamatory ( making sure you don't accuse him of anything or otherwise disparage him), and with luck they'll call the police or otherwise have a ferret about.

[EDDIE51]

How do you know there are 3 victims already? is this story in the news or is this just a rumour you have heard? If the doctor is being 'questioned soon' then we have assume there is an investigation in progress. That will be when the authorities start to look for other victims. I am pretty sure that putting a notice in the newspapers asking for people to give you information would do more harm than good and likely leave you open to being sued for defamation. Also I am almost certain the newspapers would refuse to print such a notification unless it was from the official investigators. Leave it alone until the official investigation and then present your evidence if asked.
This will be like the other abuse cases that have been in the news recently once it hits the newspapers others will come forward if they are out there.
If the police say they cannot investigate (delve) that applies even more to you as a private citizen.

[EDDIE51]

The first investigation will be by the medical council , only if they come up with strong enough evidence will it get handed over to the police.
Most cases like this never get to the police the Medical council can suspend or strike off a doctor and impose fines without involving the courts/police.

[Peter Pedant]

Hi worrier. Interesting question.

Eddie// The first investigation will be by the medical council , only if they come up with strong enough evidence will it get handed over to the police.
Most cases like this never get to the police the Medical council can suspend or strike off a doctor and impose fines without involving the courts/police. //

Nope or well not really. The GMC is about registration and being a registered doctor, and they should be informed ( really by your sister ) of her allegations. They are bound by law to investigate all complaints. They will have records of anyone else complaining about the Dr ( Dr X say ) . They say they have all sorts of functions but being an investigation and filter unit for the Police even they would say 'no'

She should also complain to the Police - actually the quicker the better.

AS for advertising - - it depends if you believe your sister or not.
And if you do, then you should advertise.... but I am not sure if any newspaper would take the advert. Libel is an obvious danger.
You could offer to indemnify the paper in the event of proceedings but I dont suppose you have that sort of money. Perhaps talking to a reporter is a better idea.

Altho Vanessa F popped up on tel and said o I was assaulted,
you can see it is not easy to get these things started.....

[Peter Pedant]

I mean it does happen: today's case is:

http://www.thornegazette.co.uk/news/local/breaking-news-doncaster-gp-convicted-of-patient-sex-attacks-jailed-for-11-years-1-6720099

[Peter Pedant]

or in Ireland

http://www.independent.ie/irish-news/courts/doctor-goes-on-trial-at-dublin-circuit-criminal-court-accused-of-sexually-assaulting-two-female-patients-30407077.html

[boxtops]

Is your sister being legally represented? Some while back a doctor round here was being investigated, and the legal firm representing alleged victims put an advert in the paper asking for other potential victims to come forward. That could be one way to do it.

[Peter Pedant]

and this was the one I was thinking about, was it really 2001 ?
because one of the silent doctors - silent because they had no idea this was going on - second on the right, third one up was related to my first father-in-law


and basically they (the complainants) all started somewhere

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/1339016/NHS-at-fault-for-failing-to-stop-sex-assault-GP.html

[EDDIE51]

We need a lot more information, what we have is too vague , the police are mentioned but they 'cannot delve' he is 'being questioned soon' which suggests that an investigation is under way. There are 3 victims already and rumours, how does the questioner know there are 3 victims? news item? police report? or more rumours?

[Peter Pedant]

Yes ed,
but the question wasnt do you believe me
but more can I advertise ?
and yes he can but it is likely to be high risk and if it goes wrong, expensive.


The police unwilling to delve - yeah I mean is the Doctor also an MP ?

[EDDIE51]

PP, your link mentions the NHS complaints procedure and investigations by the GMC (which is what I mentioned)
Possibly the reason the police 'cannot delve' is because there is already an investigation by the NHS or the GMC?
That would also explain why he is 'being questioned soon'
But I can not see that an advert asking for information from a private individual would do any good. In fact I think it would hinder whatever investigation is already under way.

[EDDIE51]

worrier , has your sister made a formal complaint to the Doctors practice manager?
If so what was the outcome?
This has to have been the first step. We need to know to advise further.