His counsel, Fiona Robertson, said that between mid-August 2019 and late January 2020 Patient A was no longer under Patel’s clinical care and his evidence was that he believed his formal involvement in her treatment had come to an end.
Robertson said there was no dispute Patel’s actions had seriously departed from professional standards but submitted the relationship was instigated by Patient A and “largely driven by her through the ongoing threats and blackmail”.
In a written statement, Patel said he feared Patient A would report him.
“I was afraid if she did so I could lose the job I so loved and had worked so hard to obtain.
“Given my speciality, this would have a knock-on effect on other patients if I was unable to work.
“With the benefit of hindsight I know I should nonetheless have ended the relationship and been honest with my employer. However, at the time I felt panicked and unable to break it off – a decision I now bitterly regret.”
Robertson added Patel accepted his behaviour amounted to misconduct and “seriously departed from professional standards”.