UK doctors are having suicidal thoughts because disciplinary proceedings against them by their NHS employer take so long to resolve, research has found.
Medics who have been accused of misconduct say the current system of investigating allegations is “brutal” and “humiliating” to go through and can feel “like a witch-hunt”.
Three out of four doctors who had faced proceedings said the length of time it took to conclude them damaged their mental health and led to them suffering anxiety, stress and depression.
Almost nine out of 10 (88%) said they were left feeling angry and frustrated by the disciplinary process. Four out of five were left feeling as if they were “guilty until proven innocent”, with some complaining that they were treated “like a criminal”.
Some were suspended from practising medicine by their NHS trust while the disciplinary process continued. One doctor told the Medical Protection Society (MPS), which surveyed 61 medics who had faced disciplinary charges for its research, that: “[It was] horrible, [I was] treated like a criminal, my office space [was] given to someone else, my belongings [were] confiscated.”
One said they were not interviewed at all as part of the initial investigation and, when they sought a second investigation, were exonerated – but were barred from working as a surgeon while the process dragged on.
Another medic said: “I had anxiety and depression. The process was brutal.” A third said: “It had a devastating impact on all aspects of my life, even though I am at the tail end of my career. The initial steps taken against me were disproportionate.”
Half of the doctors who recounted their experience as part of the MPS’s study said they had been accused of wrongdoing after raising concerns about patient safety where they worked. That prompted concern that misconduct charges are used as part of a “culture of fear” in the NHS.
Dr Naru Narayanan, the president of the Hospital Consultants and Specialists Association, a medical trade union, said that finding had led him to believe that NHS trusts deliberately instigated disciplinary charges as a form of silencing or punishing whistleblowers.
“They are all too often used to silence or exert control. The fact that over half of doctors polled believed that their raising patient safety concerns was a factor in their investigation should shock, but it sadly comes as no surprise.”
The MPS supports about 450 doctors a year who have been accused of wrongdoing. Dr Rob Hendry, its medical director, said: “Failure to conduct disciplinaries swiftly and fairly can perpetuate a climate of fear amongst doctors in the NHS, which works against improving patient safety.”
NHS disciplinary proceedings against doctors should take a few months. But freedom of information requests by the MPS showed that they takes an average of 222 days – more than seven months. One case detailed in trusts’ responses took 2,437 days – almost seven years – to be resolved.
Danny Mortimer, the chief executive of NHS Employers, which represents trusts in employment matters, said: “This report highlights some important messages regarding the duty of care that is owed to all employees, including doctors, when concerns regarding their conduct are raised and are being investigated.”
Changes were needed, he suggested. “NHS leaders will need to ensure that their policies and practices are fit for purpose and balance that duty of care with the requirements of fair and rigorous HR processes.
“It is also the case that the way in which conduct concerns are managed for doctors are far more complicated than for other staff groups, both in the NHS or is typical elsewhere in the economy.
“We will carefully discuss the MPS’s findings with them to identify areas where processes can be streamlined and improved.”
In the UK, Samaritans can be contacted on 116 123 and the domestic abuse helpline is 0808 2000 247. In Australia, the crisis support service Lifeline is on 13 11 14 and the national family violence counselling service is on 1800 737 732. In the US, the suicide prevention lifeline is at 988 and the domestic violence hotline is 1-800-799-SAFE (7233). Other international helplines can be found via www.befrienders.org
