A Birmingham doctor has been permanently removed from the medical register after admitting to drug use and an inappropriate sexual relationship with a patient. Dr Eren Battaloglu, who worked as a GP at Soho Health Centre and Kirpal Medical Centre for six years, was deemed a 'high risk' to the public by a General Medical Council (GMC) tribunal.
Inappropriate relationship and financial transactions
The hearing, which concluded on April 23, heard that Battaloglu had sex with a patient, referred to as Ms A, and gave her around £900 on three separate occasions after their encounters. He initially claimed he met her on an escort site and did not recognize her, but Ms A stated it was an online dating or hook-up site and that Battaloglu admitted recognizing her from the surgery during their first meeting.
Battaloglu sent WhatsApp messages of a 'highly sexual nature', requested she buy him illegal drugs, visited her home to drink alcohol, and sent her money despite knowing she was a vulnerable drug user with significant mental health issues. He claimed the payments were made after repeated requests and threats to his family.
Pregnancy and abortion discussion
When Ms A informed Battaloglu she was pregnant with his child, he offered to refer her to hospital for an abortion, which was deemed inappropriate due to their personal relationship. After she was told it was too late for a termination, he discussed methods to induce abortion, including taking two medications.
The tribunal found that Battaloglu's focus was on the impact of his actions on himself and his family, rather than on Ms A. He showed little reflection or appreciation of the harm caused to her.
Immediate suspension and career background
Despite his claims of being clean and taking steps to address his drug use, the tribunal ruled that Battaloglu posed a current and ongoing risk to public safety. His fitness to practice was impaired by misconduct, and erasure was deemed the only appropriate sanction. His name was struck from the medical register with immediate effect.
Battaloglu qualified as a doctor in 2013, completed GP training in Birmingham, and worked as a locum in Sandwell and City Hospital's Accident & Emergency Department before his suspension.
