Hundreds of doctors shun abuse cases

Hundreds of doctors are refusing to take part in child abuse investigations - because they are being bombarded with malicious complaints and even death threats.

A report from the Royal College of Paediatricians reveals that a growing number fear being made scapegoats.

One in seven doctors who have assisted in a child abuse case have been the subject of a formal complaint. Most have been fully vindicated. One child specialist even revealed he had received death threats from angry patients.

"This is a big problem," said college president Professor Alan Craft. "We need a different approach. Is it right that people should be complaining against doctors who are only doing their job?"

The findings are based on a survey of the college's 6,000 members. It found that 71 complaints had been referred as far as the General Medical Council - yet all had eventually been dismissed.

Almost one in three doctors who have been the subject of such complaints say they are now unwilling to take part in child abuse investigations. "High-profile cases have destroyed hard-earned reputations based on years of experience," the report says.

However, Penny Mellor, who has backed a number of parents' battles against verdicts of abuse, said: "There is not an orchestrated campaign against paediatricians. There are a handful - we are talking about five paediatricians - that we have concerns about."