A Birmingham doctor who acknowledged that he was 'often under the influence of drugs and alcohol' has been removed from the medical register. Dr Eren Battaloglu, a qualified physician for 13 years, worked as an experienced general practitioner at the Soho Health Centre and Kirpal Medical Centre since April 2020.
Admissions of Misconduct
Dr Battaloglu admitted that his substance abuse led him to 'behave recklessly,' resulting in an inappropriate sexual relationship with a patient, referred to as Ms A. He also asked her to purchase drugs for him. Initially, Battaloglu claimed he met Ms A on an escort site, but she told a General Medical Council tribunal that it was an 'online dating site' or a 'hook up site.'
He stated that he did not initially recognize her as a patient, but Ms A alleged that he told her he recognized her from the surgery after their first sexual encounter. Battaloglu claimed they had sex only three times, but the tribunal found the relationship lasted longer. Ms A reported it occurred 'twice a week' and that he gave her 'around £300' after the first three occasions.
Inappropriate Communications and Actions
Battaloglu admitted sending WhatsApp messages of a 'highly sexual nature' to Ms A, visiting her home to drink alcohol, and sending her money despite knowing she was vulnerable due to serious drug use and significant mental health issues. He also acknowledged that Ms A told him she was pregnant with his child, and he offered to refer her to hospital for an abortion—an inappropriate action given their personal relationship. When Ms A later said it was too late to terminate, Battaloglu discussed methods to induce termination, including taking two medications.
Risk to Public Safety
The tribunal heard that Battaloglu claimed to be clean and had taken significant steps to address his drug use. Mr Ivill, representing Battaloglu, accepted his conduct fell short of expected standards but described it as an 'isolated episode' in an otherwise unblemished career. However, the tribunal determined that Battaloglu posed a current and ongoing risk to the health, safety, and wellbeing of the public.
The tribunal found his fitness to practise was impaired by misconduct and that the high level of risk to public protection was 'so significant that erasure was the only appropriate sanction.' Consequently, the panel ordered his name be struck from the medical register and his registration suspended immediately at a General Medical Council misconduct hearing ending on April 23.
Background
Battaloglu completed his GP training at hospitals and GP practices across Birmingham before working for two years as a locum in the Sandwell and City Hospital Accident & Emergency Department.
