More than a third of sexual misconduct allegation types heard by medical tribunals in the past year involved healthcare colleagues, new figures show. A leading judge has called the figures "deeply concerning," warning that health workers should be "free to do their jobs without fear of becoming a target of sexual misconduct" after data showed the proportion of doctor tribunals involving sexual misconduct against a colleague.
MPTS data reveals 48 sexual misconduct allegations in 2025
The Medical Practitioners Tribunal Service (MPTS) recorded 270 allegation types across 160 tribunal hearings in 2025, with 48 relating to sexual misconduct. Of those sexual misconduct allegations, 18 involved colleagues and 17 involved patients.
A further 11 involved other people, including online offences, while two involved a relative or someone known to the doctor. The figures have prompted the MPTS to call for the data to be used as part of a wider conversation about how sexual misconduct can be prevented and addressed earlier across healthcare.
Judge Fiona Monk: 'Deeply concerning picture' for healthcare workers
MPTS chairwoman Judge Fiona Monk said: "These figures paint a deeply concerning picture for those working in healthcare. Healthcare professionals should be free to do their jobs without fear of becoming a target of sexual misconduct."
The new national figures come amid a series of cases involving doctors with links to Greater Manchester. Last year, former GP Dr Wayne Sefton Davis was jailed for eight years after being convicted of sexually abusing two women during medical examinations. Davis, who was a GP in Salford, was found guilty at Manchester Crown Court in December 2024 of indecent assault and assault by penetration. The offences took place over a 15-year period during the 1990s and 2000s - and a police investigation was launched in 2020 after two women came forward. Davis has since been granted permission to appeal his conviction on one ground. The Court of Appeal refused permission to appeal against his sentence, and a further hearing is expected.
Greater Manchester doctors struck off after misconduct hearings
A number of health workers from Greater Manchester have also been struck off following MPTS hearings relating to sexual misconduct. Dr Daman Sharma groomed and sexually harassed patients and workmates for more than a decade and was 'given the benefit of the doubt at every stage of his career', a tribunal heard. He was struck off following an MPTS hearing in Manchester after 34 allegations containing a total of 117 claims of inappropriate behaviour; 'unwanted touching'; sexual harassment; and dishonesty were found proven against him. The allegations were made by three nurses, two other colleagues and two patients under the age of 18.
And in Wigan, former doctor Vijay Gaikwad was jailed for six years after being convicted of sexually assaulting three patients in his care. Greater Manchester Police said the offences took place during medical appointments, where Gaikwad exploited his position of trust to inappropriately touch the victims. He was sentenced at Bolton Crown Court in July 2025. An MPTS tribunal subsequently ruled that Gaikwad should be erased from the medical register.
'A catalyst for change'
The cases come as concerns continue to be raised about how sexual misconduct by doctors is dealt with through the professional disciplinary system. Research published last year in The Bulletin of the Royal College of Surgeons of England looked at 222 MPTS tribunal cases between August 2023 and August 2024. Of those cases, 55 involved sexual misconduct, including allegations of rape, sexual assault, harassment and offences against children. Nine of those cases were found not proved, or the doctor was found not to be impaired. In 35 of the remaining 46 cases, the MPTS imposed the same sanction proposed by the General Medical Council. However, in 11 cases where the GMC had proposed that a doctor should be erased from the medical register, the tribunal instead imposed suspension.
Commenting on the MPTS data, Tim Lane, president of the Royal College of Surgeons of England (RCS England), said: "These findings are deeply concerning. The fact that healthcare colleagues were the most common target of sexual misconduct allegations heard by tribunals makes clear the need for everyone working in healthcare to feel safe, respected and supported at work. We continue to call for a national, independent and anonymous reporting mechanism so that healthcare professionals can raise concerns about sexual misconduct safely and without fear of repercussions."
Judge Monk said every case reaching a tribunal represented a point where "earlier opportunities to prevent these behaviours have already been missed". She added: "Every proven case of sexual misconduct represents harm to another person. We should not become accustomed to seeing these cases. I know that these concerns are shared by others and hope that this data serves as a catalyst for change."
