South East London Gynaecologist Struck Off Over Sexual Relationship with Patient
Dr Christopher Steer Guilty of Professional Misconduct
A South East London gynaecologist has been struck off after a medical tribunal found he had an inappropriate sexual relationship with a patient. Dr Christopher Steer, 67, worked at multiple hospitals including Chelsfield Park and Princess Royal Hospital.
The Medical Practitioners Tribunal Service (MPTS) ruled Steer abused his senior consultant role by pursuing a sexual and emotional relationship with a much younger patient who was also a colleague.
Tribunal Details Breach of Trust and Boundaries
The MPTS revealed Dr Steer breached professional boundaries by assisting in surgery on the patient at Princess Royal Hospital—despite her explicit wishes for him not to be involved.
“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 Complaints Reveal Flirtatious Messages
The patient formally complained to the General Medical Council (GMC) in 2020, citing “flirtatious” and “suggestive” texts sent by Dr Steer during treatment in 2016. Examples included:
- “You and your friends are young and very attractive and would find me too old and ugly.”
- “That’s the trouble your a very attractive young woman and I’m an older man so no chance.”
She also reported Steer offered a free private scan during her care.
Steer Breached Patient Trust During Surgery
In 2017, the woman was admitted to A&E at Princess Royal Hospital where she needed surgery. She said Steer promised three times not to be involved. Yet medical records showed he assisted in the operation, leaving her distressed and self-discharged from the hospital.
Medical Register Erasure Ends Steer’s Career
Despite denying wrongdoing, the tribunal found the allegations proven on the balance of probabilities and erased Dr Steer from the medical register, banning him from practising medicine in the UK.
Steer, who also worked at Sloane Hospital and Blackheath Hospital, expressed “deep regret for any actions or omissions that have led to this outcome” and said the ruling prompted “significant reflection.”
