GP forced me to have sex for a sick note, claims patient However, in July the General Medical Council suspended the GP from practising medicine for 18 months pending a full disciplinary investigation. Mr Justice Lindblom rejected Dr Abdullah's appeal against his suspension, which he said was necessary for the protection of the public, but reduced it from 18 to 12 months. The judge emphasised that the woman's claims were "at the moment mere allegations" which had not been proved, and said that whether or not she was telling the truth would emerge when she gave evidence at a full disciplinary hearing. Judge Lindblom said there was an overriding need to maintain public confidence in the medical profession. The allegations against Dr Abdullah were "indisputably very serious" and were not so vague or inconsistent as to justify no action being taken, he added. The judge concluded: "In my view, therefore, the decision to suspend in this case was sound. Its rationale is cogent and I agree with it. In reducing the period of Dr Abdullah's suspension, he said the 18-month order made in July was "excessive," and any longer than 12 months would be disproportionate.