GP claims 'no conflict of interest' over affair with patient's wife

The family doctor was having an affair with a receptionist while treating her husband for depression but this week told the General Medical Council that there was no conflict of interest.

The husband told the fitness-to-practice hearing in Manchester he discovered the relationship when Dr Kinch, who works at Dr Lawton and Partners clinic, returned with his receptionist lover from a working trip to Paris and confessed.

Known as Mr B. he told the hearing: "Basically I had had my heart ripped out. I actually asked him to look after her in Paris. Then I get told this. It came as a complete shock to me. I was very, very emotional at the time and what happened still hurts me."

The couple had been married for 20 years and moved with their children to Bexhill in 1988 when Mrs B. began working at the clinic, where Dr Kinch's wife Karen also worked.

After Mrs B. began working closely with Dr Kinch she began attending weekend conferences in Europe with him but her husband did not initially suspect anything untoward.

It was claimed the affair began in Athens in October 2007, the same month that Dr Klinch treated Mr B for depression and advised him to find more "personal self time," as well as agreeing to see him on a regular basis.

During this consultation the GP allegedly altered his patient's anti-depressant medication.

However Mr B's anxiety had grown and by the time Dr Kinch and his wife returned from the trip to Paris in November 2007, he was worried enough to ask if she was having an affair, to which she replied: "maybe".

Mr B. then decided to go to the surgery and confront Dr Kinch who admitted the truth and said he was going to live with Mrs B.

He said: "Me and your wife love each other. We can't help how we feel."

Dr Kinch's own wife was in the next room at the time.

Dr Kinch denies misconduct and the hearing continues.