A LOCUM GP has been cleared of sexual misconduct following a prostate examination that led to a formal complaint.
Dr Farrukh Khan, who has practised as a GP since 2016, was working as a locum at Vista Road Surgery, in Earlestown, when the alleged incident took place on March 11, 2024.
He faced allegations that during a digital rectal examination (DRE), he carried out actions that were not clinically indicated, continued the examination after the patient asked him to stop, and acted with sexual motivation.
A Medical Practitioners Tribunal Service (MPTS) hearing, held last week from August 10 to August 13, found all allegations not proved.
The hearing was held in private due to the sensitive nature of the evidence, but a redacted version of the findings has since been published.
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The tribunal noted that the examination was clinically appropriate given the patient’s symptoms and that consent had been obtained before the examination began.
Both the patient, referred to as Patient A, and Dr Khan gave evidence, along with several other witnesses.
The tribunal found inconsistencies in Patient A’s account, particularly in how he described withdrawing consent.
It also noted that some details only appeared in later witness statements and not in those made closer to the time of the incident.
In contrast, Dr Khan’s statements remained consistent throughout, and aspects of his clinical notes were supported by later medical findings, including an ultrasound scan.
The tribunal concluded that Dr Khan’s version of events was more consistent with the objective evidence.
It stated that although Patient A genuinely believed the examination was inappropriate, his recollection could not be considered wholly reliable.
The panel said Dr Khan’s good character and more than 20 years of medical career were also relevant.
The tribunal said: "Standing back and considering the evidence in the round, the tribunal preferred Dr Khan’s account of the examination.
"It considered his account to be more consistent with the contemporaneous and objective evidence and found no material reason to doubt his credibility or reliability."
The tribunal found it was not proven that Dr Khan’s actions were inappropriate, non-consensual, or sexually motivated.
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