Reprint
TV doctor Persaud suspended
PA News, June 20 2008
Celebrity psychiatrist Dr Raj Persaud has been suspended from practising for three months by the General Medical Council for passing off other scholars’ work as his own.
The doctor, famed for his appearances on the television chat show This Morning and BBC Radio 4’s All In The Mind, denied his actions were dishonest and liable to bring his profession into disrepute.
But a GMC disciplinary panel sitting in Manchester ruled that his “dishonest conduct” had undermined public confidence in the profession.
Dr Anthony Morgan, chairman of the Fitness to Practise Panel, said: “The Panel has determined that a three-month period of suspension is sufficient to send out a signal to you, the profession and the public that plagiarism is unacceptable behaviour.”
Dr Persaud was accused of plagiarising material for a book. Chunks of “stolen words” in the work, apparently written by Dr Persaud, were actually the work of other authors. He said that at the time he believed he had sufficiently acknowledged other authors’ work.
In a statement issued through the Medical Protection Society, Dr Persaud said: “I am saddened by the findings and decision of the GMC, which relates to material published in 2004 and 2005. These matters have been under investigation since 2005.
“As I said during the hearing, I accept that my use of the work of some authors lacked adequate acknowledgement.
“I have apologised repeatedly for this during the hearing, and I apologise for this now. I am saddened that this occurred while I was seeking to promote the work of academics to the wider public.
“I am grateful for the support of so many colleagues, patients and members of the public who have contacted the GMC and myself to offer their support to me at this difficult time.
“Mental illness and psychological problems are much misunderstood, but extremely common predicaments which still require energetic efforts to de-stigmatise. I hope to be allowed to continue with this work in the future.”