Doctor suspended for sexual relationship with teen

A doctor has been suspended after engaging in an "inappropriate" sexual relationship with a former patient he first met at a children's hospital.

Dr Cian Hughes was a 23-year-old fourth year medical student at the University of Bristol when he met the 13-year-old girl in 2011. They began a sexual relationship in 2015, when she was 17.

A tribunal found Dr Hughes' fitness to practice was impaired "by reason of misconduct" and handed him a year suspension.

The University of Bristol said medical students "undergo comprehensive ethical training, are subject to enhanced DBS checks", while a spokesperson for Bristol Children's Hospital said "inappropriate behaviour" would not be tolerated.

The Medical Practitioners Tribunal heard that Dr Hughes, who now lives in Ireland, began exchanging "personal" messages with the girl, known as Patient A, after she was discharged in 2011.

There was "frequent" communication between the pair after she asked for copies of her X-rays, which Dr Hughes forwarded from his personal email, as he was unable to access his NHS . His email signature also contained both of his mobile phone numbers.

Dr Hughes accepted there had been an imbalance of power within the dynamic, but insisted it was a "very loving relationship which had developed quickly online", the tribunal heard.

The tribunal report stated: "Patient A had been an inpatient for several weeks and it was evident from the continuing correspondence that she had made a connection with Dr Hughes."

Despite her vulnerable status, the tribunal also heard he considered Patient A to be his "equal" and was "very much in love with her".

Late in 2014, when Patient A was 17 years old, the pair began exchanging messages which consisted of sexual acts and fantasies, which they described as "daydreams".

The pair spent the night together at Dr Hughes' flat on numerous occasions, the tribunal report said.

The report also detailed how Patient A had been impacted by the relationship, stating that she now had a "distrust of authority figures, medical professionals and medical appointments" and difficulty communicating her wishes, as well as a "general mistrust of men" outside her family.

The relationship came to an end in 2016 when Dr Hughes moved to Ireland to take up a job as a medical researcher.

In June 2020, Patient A - now in her 20s - made a complaint to police but the investigation was discontinued with no charges filed against Dr Hughes.

Her concerns were raised with the General Medical Council shortly afterwards.

The tribunal said there were "no patient safety concerns in this case and that the risk of repetition was low", and ruled that a review hearing should take place before the end of the 12-month suspension period.

A University of Bristol spokesperson said that all medical students "undergo comprehensive ethical training, are subject to enhanced DBS checks, and are taught the importance of following fitness to practice guidelines from their first day".

They added that guidance was "reinforced throughout" their studies, and explained that students are "specifically instructed not to share personal information with patients, including mobile numbers, email addresses, or social media s".

The University Hospitals Bristol NHS Foundation Trust, which runs the children's hospital, said patient safety was of "top priority" and that "inappropriate behaviour" would not be tolerated.

"We are proud to the education of future NHS colleagues and are confident in the work of our academic partners to prepare their students for the high level of responsibility and privilege of training in a hospital," they added.

"We would always encourage anyone, patient or colleague, to come forward if they are subjected to, or aware of, any misconduct or inappropriate behaviour. You will be listened to, and we will take swift and decisive action."

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