Significant rise in fitness to practise cases involving sexual misconduct

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By Daniel Pye & Sarah Lowden

The number of fitness to practise cases in the health sector involving sexual misconduct allegations has almost doubled in five years, according to a report.

The Professional Standards Authority (PSA) has published the figures as part of a report containing new guidance for regulators on how to improve their handling of such cases.

The PSA, which oversees the 10 healthcare regulators in the UK, said cases involving sexual misconduct rose from 9.5% in 2021/22 to 18.1% in 2024/25, then fell sightly to 16.6% in 2025/26.

Of a total of 1,136 fitness to practise (FtP) cases the PSA received from the General Medical Council in that time period, a fifth (22%) involved sexual misconduct.

The PSA’s report, published on Tuesday, said approximately 70% of substantive hearings involving sexual misconduct result in suspension or being struck off.

Striking-off orders have increased in recent years and are “the most common outcome,” the PSA said. There has also been a decline in findings of no impairment or no misconduct since 2021/22.