A doctor had a sexual relationship with a vulnerable patient and send inappropriate text messages to two female colleagues, a medical tribunal has been told.heard.

 

Dr Christopher Holden, who practices in Perthshire, is appearing before a fitness to practise panel and could be struck off if the allegations against him are found proved.

It is alleged he engaged in a "emotional and sexual relationship" with a 36-year-old Portuguese hotel worker and also sent frequent texts to female doctor and a dispenser at the surgery where he worked.

The text messages included personal comments, compliments and comments of a sexual nature and it's claimed his actions were sexually motivated.

A Medical Practitioners Tribunal Service (MPTS) panel heard how the doctor started a two-month relationship with the patient, Patient A, between September 2011 and November 2011.

She needed regular tests for a health condition and also suffered from stress and anxiety.

They started exchanging messages on Facebook and Bernadette Baxter, for the GMC, told the panel that "it was obvious from the outset" their conversations were a little flirtatious and "above and beyond" the kind of contact you would expect between a GP and his patient.

He referred to her as his "angel" and put kisses at the end of his messages, she said.

The panel heard that would "hug" and "kiss" Patient A during visits at her home and his surgery and eventually their relationship became sexual.

The hearing is expected to go on until April and the doctor could be struck off the medical register if he's found guilty.