James Lloyd successfully defends occupational therapist in fitness to practise proceedings.

Occupational Therapist G faced fitness to practise proceedings before the HCPC following their dismissal from a hospital after a series of criticisms relating to record completion and data storage ranging from 2003 to 2017.

The HCPC, which received the referral in 2017 and imposed an interim order preventing G from practising for 18 months, argued that G’s fitness to practise was impaired by reason of misconduct and lack of competence.

Following a five-day hearing before the HCPC’s Conduct and Competency Committee, the Panel determined that the case was not well founded: there was no lack of competence; and G’s fitness to practise was not impaired. G was therefore able to resume unrestricted practise, having awaited the outcome of the fitness to practise process for almost six years.

The Defence relied on the significant delay in the regulator bringing proceedings which involved allegations reported as early as twenty years before the hearing. A significant volume of evidence was relied upon to demonstrate the extensive remediation undertaken by G during the six years since the matter was referred to the HCPC, and the four years since the interim order lapsed, and that G had now practised for several years without further concern.

James Lloyd was instructed by Harjinder Saundh and Therese Njie of Thompsons Solicitors.