Doctor suspended over patient affair

The doctor was suspended for nine months

A married doctor who conducted a two-year affair with a wheelchair-bound patient has been suspended for nine months.

Dr James Auld, 45, had admitted having an affair with Debra Mitchell.

The ban was imposed by the General Medical Council (GMC), after a professional conduct committee hearing.

The committee suspended Mr Auld with immediate effect.

Miss Mitchell, a mother-of-one, was treated for depression and the extreme fatigue disease ME at the GP's practice in Meeks Road, Falkirk.

The relationship predictably ended in disaster for Debra Mitchell and you, and your family for your practice and its partners

Prof Peter Richards
GMC committee chairman

She said that a sexual relationship began during home visits by Dr Auld, from Calzieveg, Dunblane, Perthshire, in March 1997.

Dr Auld admitted a relationship took place but denies it began when Miss Mitchell was bed-bound.

Professor Peter Richards, chairman of the professional conduct committee, said: "This has been a human tragedy in which many of the victims have been innocent."

Prof Richards told Dr Auld that his patient was highly vulnerable.

'No remorse'

"She felt used by you and you have admitted that you took advantage of your patient's vulnerability," he said.

"The relationship predictably ended in disaster for Debra Mitchell and you, and your family for your practice and its partners.

"Taking all these facts proved into consideration the Committee have had no difficulty in finding you guilty of serious professional misconduct.

"The committee have also taken into account the fact that from an early stage you have accepted and admitted the allegations of misconduct made against you, although they wish to record the displeasure that throughout this hearing no expressions of regret, remorse or apology towards Debra Mitchell have been made on your behalf."