Meta title: South East London gynaecologist struck off over sexual relationship with patient
Meta description: Dr Christopher Steer has been erased from the medical register after a tribunal found he had a sexual relationship with a patient and assisted in her surgery against her wishes.
Focus keyphrase: Gynaecologist struck off South East London

Medical tribunal finds Dr Christopher Steer guilty of professional misconduct

A gynaecologist who worked at several hospitals in South East London has been struck off the medical register for engaging in an inappropriate sexual relationship with a patient and breaching professional boundaries during surgery.

Dr Christopher Steer, 67, was found guilty by the Medical Practitioners Tribunal Service (MPTS) of pursuing a sexual relationship with a significantly younger colleague who was also his patient at Chelsfield Park Hospital.

Tribunal findings: breach of trust and professional boundaries

The tribunal concluded that while Dr Steer was in a relationship with the woman, he assisted in her surgery at Princess Royal Hospital, despite her explicit request that he not be involved.

In its April ruling, the MPTS stated:

“Mr Steer had abused his professional position as a senior consultant and used it to pursue an improper emotional and sexual relationship with a patient. He showed a blatant disregard for professional boundaries, which were his responsibility to set. He continues to demonstrate very little insight.”

Patient complaint and suggestive messages

The patient, who made a formal complaint to the General Medical Council (GMC) in 2020, said she received “flirtatious” and “suggestive” messages from Dr Steer while under his care in 2016.

Among the messages cited during the hearing were:

• “You and your friends are young and very attractive and would find me too old and ugly.”
• “That’s the trouble your [sic] a very attractive young woman and I’m an older man so no chance.”

She also reported that Dr Steer offered to perform a private scan free of charge.

Surgical involvement against patient’s wishes

In 2017, the woman was admitted to A&E at Princess Royal Hospital and was told she required surgery. She claimed Dr Steer promised three times he would not participate in the operation. However, she later discovered through medical records that he had assisted in the procedure, leading her to discharge herself from hospital in distress.

Dr Steer struck off medical register

While Dr Steer denied the relationship was sexual and claimed no wrongdoing, the MPTS found the allegations proven on the balance of probabilities. It ruled that he should be erased from the medical register, effectively banning him from practising medicine in the UK.

Dr Steer, who has also worked at Sloane Hospital and Blackheath Hospital, later issued a statement expressing “deep regret for any actions or omissions that have led to this outcome,” and said the decision had prompted “significant reflection” on his part.