Patient to sue struck-off doctor

Rodney Tate has not practised since 2002, the GMC was told

A patient of a former GP struck off the medical register for carrying out intimate examinations on women without consent is to sue him for compensation.

Rodney Tate was found guilty of misconduct and struck off last week. The charges related to seven patients at the Old Steine Surgery in Brighton.

The patient suing said she had fought for seven years to get him struck off. "It has not been easy," she said.

Dr Tate, of Dyke Road Avenue, Hove, declined to comment.

The General Medical Council (GMC) was told Dr Tate, who has not practised since 2002, faced complaints dating back to 1984.

In 2003, Dr Tate was charged with indecently assaulting 14 women but was acquitted at Lewes Crown Court in 2006.

'Not talking'

The patient, who wishes to remain anonymous, was pregnant and suffering from depression when she consulted Dr Tate and was asked to remove her clothes.

"All through talking to him he was looking me up and down - I just felt uncomfortable," she said.

"(I've had) seven years nearly of holding it in and not talking to anyone - just fighting to get him struck off."

Her compensation case has been taken up by solicitor Sarah Harman, who is hoping other patients will also come forward.

"Patients trust doctors and if an intimate examination is carried out they think it must be necessary," said Ms Harman.

"Even if they feel very uncomfortable, often they won't make a complaint, or if they do make a complaint they think nobody will believe them.

"They are much more likely to change doctors.

"That means that doctors like Tate are able to practise year on year because it is so difficult to take them on."

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Rodney Tate's victim talks to Juliette Parkin about the effect his misconduct had on her