INSEL Hospital Group
The island hospital dismisses a director accused of sexual violence
A chief of clinic was dismissed after charges brought by a head doctor who was under his responsibility. A criminal investigation is underway.
The management of the INSEL group, in consultation with the University of Bern, decided to separate from a clinical director. with immediate effect.
Adrian Moser/Tamedia
- The Bernese prosecution is investigating allegations of sexual assault at the island hospital.
- Compromising photos have triggered the immediate dismissal of a clinical director.
- The internal survey reveals serious breaches of the director’s professional homework.
- The accused, who claims his innocence, envisages proceedings for defamation.
A sexual scandal involving a chief of clinic is currently shaking the Bernese hospital group inal, according to The “Tages-Anzeiger». The director was dismissed after charges made by a medical doctor who was under his responsibility. A criminal investigation is underway.
Criminal investigation
The public prosecutor of the canton of Bern opened criminal procedure on February 20, 2025 concerning “alleged facts affecting sexual integrity”. The case would be serious. It would imply “a blatant use of violence in the sexual field over a long period”, According to “Blick».
Internal sources at the hospital evoke a relationship between the two doctors, but the versions diverge as to the concept of consent. Explicit sexual practices were reportedly documented by a series of photographs taken during these meetings.
On February 18, the complainant’s lawyer contacted the management of the University of Bern and that of the island hospital clinic, handing out a file containing compromising images. According to a source, “the officials almost fell from their chair by discovering them”.
Slow reaction
Despite the severity of the accusations, no concrete measure was taken for several weeks. It was only recently that the manager was removed from his duties by the management of the hospital group. The University of Bern would also plan to separate from him.
The INSEL Hospital Group claims to have followed the internal procedures by launching an internal investigation and an external audit. “This investigation was carried out with the seriousness necessary, in compliance with the duty of protection towards all the persons involved,” said the group, adding that the elements available “revealed serious shortcomings to the duties of loyalty and diligence on the part of the director of the clinic”.
The lawyer for the accused director maintains that his client “is convinced that he had nothing to blame himself for a criminal level” and recalls that he benefits from the presumption of innocence. Judicial actions for false accusation, defamation and slander are currently being studied against certain persons involved in this case.
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