Patients Of Struck Off Doctor Will Sue For Compensation

- 16 June 2009;Brighton Argus

By Siobhan Ryan

Patients of a GP found guilty of inappropriate behaviour are planning to sue him for compensation.

Rodney Tate was struck off by the General Medical Council (GMC) after its fitness to practise panel upheld misconduct charges.

The 70-year-old was found to have carried out intimate examinations on seven female patients without their consent while working as a GP at Old Steine Surgery in Brighton.

Solicitor Sarah Harman told The Argus she had already been approached by former patients who want to begin proceedings for compensation.

She said: “This is a very sensitive issue but one that the patients are keen to highlight.

“My clients are now taking proceedings alleging that Tate's behaviour towards them was inappropriate, and intimate examinations were unnecessary and undertaken without their informed consent.

“They are also angry that he will still be given a full NHS pension despite what has happened.”

Ms Harman said the criticisms made by the GMC of Tate's general conduct towards his patients over the years were a strong enough basis to take further action.

After the hearing at Regent’s Place, London, which last nearly two months, the panel said Dr Tate had failed to explain to patients why the intrusive examinations were necessary. When complaints were raised about his behaviour he told colleagues the patients were all “mad” .

His conduct was found to “fallen seriously below the standard expected of a general practitioner.”

The earliest complaint dates back to 1984 when a patient known as Ms C complained of a sore throat.

When she was naked from the waist up, Dr Tate examined her armpits and touched the sides of her breasts.

He also touched three other patients breasts without explaining why and when a fourth, Ms L, complained of shortness of breath in 2002 he again made her take off her bra and top.

Intimate examinations were carried out on two other patients.

In 2003 the retired doctor was charged with indecently assaulting 14 women but was acquitted at Lewes Crown Court.