David Toal successfully acts for General Medical Council at Fitness to Practice Hearing

February 16, 2017

David Toal from Exchange Chambers has acted for the General Medical Council in a Fitness to Practice hearing against a consultant orthopaedic surgeon.

The hearing lasted for 7 days and related to allegations of sexual behaviour by the surgeon, Dr P, towards a female healthcare assistant during a hospital clinic in Southend. He denied all of the allegations.

The hearing concluded with the Panel finding that Dr P had used sexually motivated behaviour towards the female and had also attempted to persuade her not to report it.  As a result, Dr P’s fitness to practice was found to be impaired and he was suspended for a period of 6 months with immediate effect.

The case was reported in the national media.

David Toal is senior member of Exchange Chambers’ Healthcare team. He has  been appointed to the full Panel of specialist advocates who represent the General Medical Council in tribunal hearings dealing with various complex medical and fitness to practice issues. David also regularly represents healthcare professionals facing disciplinary proceedings in tribunals and also criminal charges in both the Crown & Magistrates Courts.