What if you match with a patient on a dating app?

Situation

I am a GP who matched with someone on a dating app before realising he was a patient at my practice. We met up for a drink and although I enjoyed the evening, I declined a second date. He took this badly and continued to message me, I had no option but to block his number. 

A few weeks later, I was surprised to see his name appear on my appointment list for that day.

At the appointment, I explained to the patient that it would be better to book with a different clinician at the practice the next time. Speaking to staff, he was registered with the practice and the consultation was purely coincidental.

Regulatory advice

General Medical Council’s (GMC) guidance states doctors must not pursue sexual or improper emotional relationships with current patients and should politely re-establish boundaries if advances occur. 

If a patient pursues a sexual or improper emotional relationship with you, you should treat them politely and considerately and try to re-establish a professional boundary. If trust has broken down and you find it necessary to end the professional relationship, you must follow the guidance in "Ending your professional relationship with a patient."

MDDUS advice

MDDUS advises members to actively avoid situations that could blur professional boundaries. This includes not connecting with patients on social media, maintaining strong privacy settings, and responding to unwanted advances politely but firmly by reaffirming professional limits.

Members should discuss concerns with colleagues or MDDUS early, both to demonstrate insight and to explore transferring care if needed. Importantly, clinicians should always seek advice before considering any non-professional relationship with a former patient and should carefully consider the GMC guidance "Maintaining personal and professional boundaries - GMC"

 
While not drawn from a real case, this hypothetical example represents a situation that could arise.