GP loses registration for harassment of doctors

A doctor from Cornwall has been removed from the medical register for serious professional misconduct following a tribunal hearing.

Dr David Cartland was found to have harassed three doctors and a practice manager on X, Gettr and Instagram between 2022 and 2025.

The medical tribunal said the GP, who questioned the safety of the Covid-19 vaccine, had acted dishonestly in offering to provide Covid-19 exemption certificates to people regardless of whether they had a medical exemption, something Dr Cartland did not accept was dishonest.

Dr Cartland told the BBC in a statement he "reacted poorly" and he had been the subject of a campaign of abuse and goading, adding that his patient care was "never challenged".

Dr Cartland did not attend his Medical Practitioner Tribunal Service hearing, which concluded with his immediate erasure from the medical register after 17 allegations against him were found to be proven.

Thomas Moran, representing the General Medical Council, told the tribunal Dr Cartland had called one doctor an "evil witch", another "evil malicious scumbags" and said one medical professional had "a sexual interest in sheep".

Dr Cartland's posts were also found to be "hostile to the LGBTQ+ community".

The panel was told Dr Cartland made "despicable allegations" against one doctor relating to paedophilia with "absolutely no foundation".

Mr Moran said Dr Cartland encouraged his followers to harass the complainants too.

Defending Dr Cartland, Paul Diamond told the panel the three doctors had been "just as bad as him".

Dr Cartland's statement said he accepted he "reacted poorly" and apologised for "saying things that he should not have said".

"[He] was subjected to a campaign of abuse, smearing and goading from some of those who opposed his views," it said.

The panel determined that when it came to offering Covid exemption certificates to people without a medical reason, Dr Cartland had acted dishonestly and that it amounted to serious misconduct.

It was said that on 14 and 15 September 2023, Dr Cartland had a conversation with a person, "which did not appear to be a genuine inquiry by this person" asking for an exemption certificate with the intention to travel to the USA.

Mr Moran said: "It is the case the doctor [Cartland] disagreed with the need to be vaccinated in order to carry out certain activities such as flying abroad… what is not entitled to do as a doctor, is to undermine the exemption system by providing an exemption when there is no medical reason."

Dr Cartland's statement said he did not accept it was dishonest and in response to the tribunal findings said he remained "concerned at the scale of Covid-19 vaccines injuries and comorbidities" and "opposed the vaccine role out to children".

It said he was a "highly qualified doctor" with an "exemplary record".

"Some doctors who have been erased from the GMC register as a consequence of conducting surgery poorly where the patient has died."

It said his mental wellbeing had been affected and he was unable to secure any employment.

The statement also said surgeries "where he had secured employment were contacted by those opposed to his views and he found himself dismissed".

Tribunal chair Claire Lindley said the panel accepted "there is evidence that Dr Cartland is a good doctor" and well-regarded by patients but concluded his online conduct was an example of "serious professional misconduct".

She added: "Dr Cartland's actions online impact others, undermine public confidence and could damage the reputation of the profession."

The panel decided on Thursday that Dr Cartland should be suspended immediately and could not continue to practice during the 28-day appeal window.

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