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UK GP Fakes Patient Slots to Leave Work Early
1 Jan
Summary
- Doctor booked fake appointments to leave work on time.
- She admitted to booking patients she had already seen.
- Tribunal cited reckless disregard for patient safety.
Dr. Helen Eisenhauer, a general practitioner at Stenhouse Medical Centre in Arnold, England, faces a five-month suspension from her profession. The misconduct case, heard by the General Medical Council, revealed that Dr. Eisenhauer booked two fake appointments on July 17, 2024. She admitted to creating these appointments with patients she had already seen, solely to ensure she could leave work by 6 p.m. to collect her children.
Eisenhauer stated the incident occurred during a period of significant personal stress, balancing family demands with professional commitments. She expressed deep shame for her dishonesty and determination to uphold professional integrity moving forward. Despite acknowledging her actions, her legal representative noted she had not been sleeping well and feared losing childcare provisions if she was late.
The tribunal chairman, Neil Dalton, characterized her actions as a "reckless disregard for patient safety and professional standards," noting it betrayed the trust of her colleagues. While exceptional circumstances were considered, the final judgment resulted in the five-month suspension for falsifying records and undermining collaborative working.
