GMC: Sexual Behaviour and Your Duty to Report Colleagues: Summary

SJT Textbook: Sexual Behaviour & Your Duty to Report Colleagues (GMC Guidance for MSRA SJT)

Sexual Behaviour & Duty to Report Colleagues

This sexual behaviour & duty to report colleagues GMC guide explains when doctors must escalate concerns about sexual misconduct to protect patients and comply with MSRA SJT standards.

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🎯 THE CORE PRINCIPLE

Sexual misconduct is a grave breach of professional boundaries and a major threat to patient safety and public trust. Doctors must act immediately when patients disclose concerns, when colleagues behave inappropriately, or when they observe ambiguous behaviour that could indicate sexual boundary violations.

The GMC requires prompt escalation through appropriate channels, safeguarding, accurate documentation, and contacting the police if a crime is suspected (e.g., sexual assault). The MSRA SJT tests whether candidates can distinguish unsafe under-escalation from appropriate protective action.

The sexual behaviour duty to report colleagues GMC guidance requires immediate escalation for any suspected misconduct.

🧩 KEY PRINCIPLES (MSRA SJT Interpretation)

1. Sexual misconduct is always serious

Any of the following demand urgent action:

* Sexual comments
* Flirtation during care
* Inappropriate touching
* Sexualised messaging
* Intimate examinations without consent
* Abuse of power

Even *ambiguous* behaviour warrants concern.

2. Patient safety comes first

You must prioritise:

* The patient’s immediate wellbeing
* Psychological safety
* Protection from further harm
* Securing alternative care if needed

Provide a calm, non-judgemental response.

3. Escalate concerns promptly

Depending on severity:

* Line manager / responsible officer
* Safeguarding team
* Clinical lead
* GMC
* Police (if criminal)

Sexual assault or criminal behaviour MUST be reported to the police.

4. Support the patient

High-yield behaviours:

* Listen respectfully
* Avoid blame or dismissal
* Explain next steps
* Offer safeguarding and support services
* Ensure alternative care clinician is available

5. Maintain confidentiality — but safety overrides it

When escalating:

* Share only relevant information
* Seek consent to disclose if feasible
* If consent refused and safety risk remains → disclose in public interest
* Inform the patient of the decision

6. Document everything

Record:

* Patient’s concerns verbatim where possible
* Behaviour observed
* Advice given
* Escalations and who was informed
* Rationale for any disclosure

7. “Colleague” includes non-clinical staff

Boundary breaches may be committed by:

* Doctors
* Nurses
* Assistants
* Admin staff
* Students
* Volunteers

You must act regardless of the colleague’s seniority.

Many MSRA SJT scenarios test failures to follow sexual behaviour duty to report colleagues GMC rules.

⚡ HIGH-YIELD ACTIONS (What Scores Points)

1. Take any report of sexual misconduct seriously.
2. Escalate to a senior, safeguarding lead, or responsible officer immediately.
3. Contact the police if a criminal offence is suspected.
4. Support and reassure the patient.
5. Maintain confidentiality while prioritising safety.
6. Share only the minimum necessary information.
7. Document concerns, discussions, and actions.
8. Remove the colleague from clinical contact if required (managerial action).
9. Arrange alternative safe care for the patient.
10. Seek advice from GMC/defence organisations when uncertain.

Under-escalation breaches sexual behaviour duty to report colleagues GMC safeguarding standards.

The key theme: under-escalation is always unsafe.

Accurate documentation is essential under sexual behaviour duty to report colleagues GMC guidance.

💬 MODEL PHRASES (Use These in SJT Logic)

* “I must escalate this to someone who can investigate formally.”
* “If a criminal offence is suspected, we need to involve the police.”
* “I will only share information that is essential for safety.”
* “Let me arrange for another clinician to support you today.”
* “I need to document what you’ve told me clearly.”

Police involvement is required in criminal cases under sexual behaviour duty to report colleagues GMC rules.

R – Respond supportively to the patient
E – Escalate immediately (safeguarding / senior / GMC)
P – Police if criminal
O – Only share relevant information
R – Record accurately
T – Transfer care safely

📋 QUICK FAQ

Should I confront the colleague myself?
No — escalate formally. Does confidentiality prevent me from reporting?
No — safety overrides confidentiality. Do I need consent to report?
Seek it if possible, but report even without consent if safety or public interest requires. What if the behaviour is ambiguous?
Escalate and seek advice — do not ignore it. Should I continue caring for the patient?
Ensure the patient has safe care; transfer if necessary.

📚 GMC ANCHOR POINTS

* Maintaining trust
* Sexual boundaries
* Raising and acting on concerns
* Safeguarding
* Confidentiality exceptions
* Duty of candour
* Good Medical Practice

💡 MINI PRACTICE SCENARIO

A patient tells you that a senior consultant made inappropriate sexual comments during an examination. Best action: Thank the patient, ensure their safety, document their account, escalate immediately to the safeguarding lead and clinical governance, and contact the police if behaviour constitutes a criminal offence. Why: Patients must be protected and the allegation investigated urgently.

🎯 KEY TAKEAWAYS

✓ Sexual misconduct = urgent escalation
✓ Support patient, believe them, act protectively
✓ Escalate to safeguarding, management, GMC as needed
✓ Call police for criminal behaviour
✓ Maintain confidentiality but prioritise safety
✓ Document clearly and objectively
✓ Never minimise or delay

🔗 RELATED TOPICS

* → Professional boundaries
* → Raising concerns
* → Maintaining trust
* → Confidentiality and exceptions
* → Safeguarding

📖 FULL PRACTICE QUESTIONS

Example SJT — Best of 3 (8 options; choose three)

A patient reports that a colleague touched them inappropriately during an examination.

Options:
A. Tell them to raise it directly with the colleague
B. Reassure them and ask for more details
C. Document their concerns objectively
D. Escalate immediately to safeguarding or senior management
E. Wait for other patients to report similar concerns
F. Inform the police if a criminal act is suspected
G. Confront the colleague privately
H. Avoid getting involved

Example SJT — Rank 5 (best → worst)

You overhear a colleague making sexual comments to a vulnerable patient.

Options:
A. Report the concern immediately to safeguarding leads
B. Ask the colleague privately what happened
C. Tell the patient to make a formal complaint
D. Ignore it as it may have been a misunderstanding
E. Warn the colleague not to repeat the behaviour