Psychiatrist Suspended for Sexually Harassing Junior Staff
Dr Fidel Gallo Benitez, a consultant psychiatrist with the South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust, has been slapped with a four-month suspension after being found guilty of sexually harassing junior colleagues over a four-year period. Despite the shocking allegations spanning 2014 to 2018, he will not be banned from practising.
Grim Details of Harassment Revealed
The Medical Practitioners Tribunal Service (MPTS) uncovered disturbing evidence that Dr Benitez targeted four junior staff members while working at hospitals in Lewisham and Bromley. He admitted to sending inappropriate sexual messages and making unwanted physical advances, blaming alcohol and “generational differences” for his behaviour.
One victim, known as Ms A, branded him “predatory” after years of persistent unwanted messages, including photos of naked women and offensive comments. Despite repeatedly telling Dr Benitez to stop, the harassment continued unabated.
Other incidents involved Dr Benitez kissing a colleague on the cheek and groping a male colleague’s groin during a work outing. When confronted, he threatened one victim’s career, later claiming the threat was made “in the heat of the moment.” Another colleague revealed how he massaged her shoulders without consent after a Christmas party, invited her to his home, and urged her not to get married.
Tribunal Condemns Abuse of Power
Tribunal chair Gillian Temple-Bone described the incidents as “sexually motivated” and marked by a clear power imbalance. She dismissed Benitez’s explanations that alcohol or cultural differences excused his behaviour.
Adding to his woes, Dr Benitez was also convicted of drink-driving in 2019 after being found intoxicated in his car at Lewisham Hospital car park. He was fined £923 and handed 10 penalty points.
Four-Month Suspension, No Ban
Despite the severity of the misconduct, the tribunal chose a four-month suspension rather than striking Dr Benitez off. He has since quit drinking and claims to be “focusing on himself.” The tribunal acknowledged the harm caused but cited his personal efforts to reform and previous clean record as reasons not to end his medical career.
