Struck-off GP suggested sex cure

The doctor was guilty of professional misconduct

A Midlands doctor who told a patient more sex would cure her pain has been struck off by the General Medical Council.

Dr Ram Vir Kapur, of Englesteve Close, Birmingham, was found guilty of making sexual and offensive comments to two patients.

Both incidents were on 6 April 1998 while he was a locum GP at the Village Surgery in Wednesbury.

He told 21-year-old Miss A, who was worried she had a urinary infection, that "sex is good for your type of pain".

Successful relationships between doctors and patients depend on trust

GMC committee chairman Dr Andrew Ferguson

Dr Kapur remarked she had "fine breasts" and asked: "Who do I have to give the money for sex to, you or your mother?"

Miss A was left feeling "intimidated and low".

That same afternoon Dr Kapur made offensive comments while examining an eight-year-old boy who had a genital infection.

The boy's mother complained Dr Kapur had implied her son had been sexually interfered with.

Dr Kapur was found guilty of serious professional misconduct while he was covering for Dr Lakshminarayam Adma, who was on holiday in India.

The GMC's professional conduct committee ruled that, while acting as locum, Dr Kapur refused to make home visits to patients, refused to answer patients' telephone calls and missed appointments with patients.

He was also reported to have made sexual comments to receptionists at the surgery and offensive remarks about patients.

Dr Adma's son, who worked at the surgery while his parents were away, described the atmosphere as one of "mayhem".

Sandwell Health Authority officials, called after complaints from staff and patients, said the "service to patients had broken down".

Gross departures

Dr Kapur, who was dismissed from the practice on 21 December 1998, had denied allegations of serious professional misconduct throughout the four-day hearing in Manchester.

Committee chairman Dr Andrew Ferguson said: "Successful relationships between doctors and patients depend on trust.

"Doctors must treat patients politely and considerately and respect patients' privacy and dignity."