Proselytising doctor must attend further training

A Christian GP who received complaints over evangelising to patients is to attend a 'professional boundaries course' as part of a settlement with NHS England.

Dr Richard Scott had previously refused to attend the additional training which NHS England said was necessary for him to remain on the 'Performers List for England' – a register for health professionals offering primary care. A planned tribunal was called off following the last-minute settlement.

NHS England's decision arose following concerns raised by the National Secular Society.

An acquaintance of a "highly vulnerable" patient contacted the NSS in 2019 after Dr Scott made her feel "discomfort at the use of prayer." In an interview with BBC Radio 4 earlier that year, Dr Scott said he introduces faith into consultations with people with depression or anxiety as "most people are desperate, they'll at least listen." He also described how he had recently "converted" a patient to Christianity.

By his own admission, Dr Scott has received "about 10" complaints regarding imposing his religious views on patients.

Minutes from Dr Scott's surgery, Bethesda Medical Centre in Margate, also revealed "too many complaints are received from patients" about having religion "pushed upon them" when they attend the surgery.

This followed a 2012 General Medical Council (GMC) investigation which found that Dr Scott had told a patient "his own religion could not offer him any protection" and he would suffer "for the rest of his life" if he did not "turn towards Jesus".

The GMC found Dr Scott had "caused the patient distress through insensitive expression" of his religious beliefs" and that his actions constituted a "significant departure from Good Medical Practice". In a December 2019 BBC Radio Kent interview, Dr Scott said he had not changed his approach since 2012.

In response to the concerns raised by the National Secular Society, a 2020 GMC investigation expressed concerns that Dr Scott may be "exploiting the patient's vulnerability and attempting to impose his beliefs and values upon them". It also noted "the concern that Dr Scott lacks insight following the warning issued to him in 2012".

NSS CEO: Patients "quite rightly" expect healthcare without religious imposition

NSS Chief Executive Stephen Evans said: "The multiple complaints regarding Dr Scott's conduct over many years suggest he lacks sensitivity and fails to work within the ethical standards required of a doctor.

"Despite previous warnings Dr Scott appears blind to the potentially damaging effect of his actions. We are therefore pleased that NHS England has taken steps to remedy that.

"NHS patients quite rightly expect to receive healthcare without having someone else's religious beliefs imposed on them. Evangelism that targets people who are ill or vulnerable is exploitative and patients should be protected from it."