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Mrs R came into the emergency department with retrosternal chest discomfort. She was otherwise perfectly healthy and in her mid-20s, so after taking her history, Dr F performed a cardiovascular and abdominal exam. He palpated for the apex beat and listened to her heart. He also palpated her abdomen and identified some epigastric tenderness, then took her blood pressure. Mrs R left seeming happy with the diagnosis.
Towards the end of his shift, Dr F was summoned to a meeting with his Medical Director and the Head of HR. They said an allegation of sexual assault had been made against him and the matter was being referred to the police.
Dr F rang Medical Protection immediately, and they were able to help straight away.
A medicolegal consultant (MLC) spoke to Dr F, tried to keep him calm and reassured him that Medical Protection would do everything they could to help. The MLC appointed Dr F a solicitor, and spoke to the police to find out more about the allegation.
The MLC discovered that Dr F was being accused of touching the patient inappropriately during the cardiovascular exam. The solicitor then helped Dr F to draft a statement putting forward his side of the story. The solicitor also talked him through the police procedure, so he knew what was going to happen in the interview.
The solicitor stayed with Dr F the whole time throughout the police interview as he read out the statement they had prepared together and answered their questions. Dr F was then allowed to go, and later found out that no further action would be taken against him.
Following this situation, Dr F struggled to cope with what had happened. Medical Protection put Dr F in touch with the confidential counselling provided by ICAS and included as part of his membership. ICAS offers a personalised and professional service tailored specifically to each person’s requirements that is delivered by experienced qualified counsellors. In-house telephone counselling provides immediate access to support 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and face-to-face counselling sessions were arranged to work around Dr F’s schedule.