Dagenham, Essex
8th August, 2024.
Dr. Gurkirit Kalkat, a general practitioner at Thames View Medical Centre, has been suspended for one year following a shocking case of professional misconduct. Dr. Kalkat, aged 58, was found guilty of fabricating an assault to wrongfully accuse a patient and remove him from his practice.
In February 2020, Dr. Kalkat invited a patient, known only as Patient A, for a routine consultation. During the appointment, instead of conducting a medical examination, Dr. Kalkat staged a dramatic scene by throwing himself against a door and hitting himself in the chest. He then began shouting, “Stop hitting me, ow! You’re attacking me!” and activated a panic button to summon the police. The patient, who had remained seated throughout the appointment, was subsequently arrested and taken away in handcuffs.
Investigations revealed that Dr. Kalkat had a personal motive for framing Patient A. As his practice was preparing to merge with another, Dr. Kalkat saw Patient A, who had a history of drug issues, as a liability. Dr. Kalkat had previously attempted to persuade Patient A to leave his practice by falsely claiming he had terminal blood cancer and offering financial incentives to register with another GP. Despite these efforts, Patient A did not move to a different practice, which led Dr. Kalkat to resort to the staged assault.
The Medical Practitioners Tribunal Service (MPTS) conducted a thorough investigation and found Dr. Kalkat guilty of serious professional misconduct. The tribunal was informed that Dr. Kalkat had gone to extreme lengths, including paying over £40,000 for Patient A’s rehabilitation treatment, in a bid to remove him from his list. The tribunal deemed Dr. Kalkat’s actions as a severe breach of medical ethics.
The decision to suspend Dr. Kalkat for 12 months reflects the gravity of his actions. The case has been widely condemned by the medical community, emphasizing the need for integrity and ethical behavior in healthcare. This incident highlights the critical importance of maintaining professional standards and the rigorous measures required to address breaches of conduct.
Dr. Gurkirit Kalkat’s suspension serves as a stark reminder of the ethical responsibilities inherent in the medical profession. As the medical field contemplates the implications of this case, it underscores the necessity for continuous vigilance and adherence to the highest standards of patient care and professional integrity.
Resources:
1.https://thethaiger.com/world/news/600001/
2.https://metro.co.uk/2024/08/06/family-gp-beat-frame-patient-wanted-taken-off-books-21374419/
3.https://www.yahoo.com/news/gp-beat-himself-rid-unwanted-174802379.html