Operating Department Practitioner Struck Off For Failing To Disclose Convictions, UK

Main Category: Litigation / Medical Malpractice
Article Date: 04 Sep 2008 - 10:00 PDT

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Richard Cox, operating department practitioner, has been struck off the HPC Register for failing to disclose his conviction to the HPC and his employer, Sandwell and West Birmingham NHS Trust.

A panel of the HPC Conduct and Competence Committee heard when the lead practitioner for main theatres and surgical day unit theatres at the Trust had notified the police about missing drugs from the operating theatre, a list of all staff working on the relevant shifts was provided to the police. As a result of the police investigation the trust was informed that Richard Cox had a conviction.

The panel were also presented with a copy of the HPC registration/readmission form signed by Richard Cox and found that he failed to disclose his conviction.

Panel Chair, Martin Ryder commented:

"The Panel concluded that the registrant's conviction for matters of dishonesty and deception fell well below the standards of honesty and integrity expected of a registered health professional. It was a matter of serious concern that the registrant had secured registration as an operating department practitioner on the basis of dishonesty and deception"

The panel decided the most appropriate action was to strike Richard Cox from the Register.

Richard Cox was not present at the hearing.

1. The Health Professions Council is an independent, UK-wide health regulator set up by the Health Professions Order (2001).  The HPC keeps a register for thirteen different health professions and only  registers people who meet the standards it sets for their training, professional skills, behaviour and health. The HPC will take action against health professionals who do not meet these standards or who use a protected title illegally.

2. Full details of this hearing will be posted online here.

3. Information about the HPC's fitness to practise proceedings can be found on the HPC website here.

4. HPC currently regulate the following thirteen professions. Each of these professions has one or more 'protected titles'. Anyone who uses one of these titles must register with the HPC. To see the full list of protected titles please see here.

-     Arts therapists
-     Biomedical scientists
-     Chiropodists / podiatrists
-     Clinical scientists
-     Dietitians
-     Occupational therapists
-     Operating department practitioners
-     Orthoptists
-     Paramedics
-     Physiotherapists
-     Prosthetists / orthotists
-     Radiographers
-     Speech and language therapists

Source - Ebony Gayle
Health Professions Council