7th April 2005
NEWS RELEASE
UK health regulator cautions West Bromwich occupational therapist

An occupational therapist from West Bromwich has been cautioned by the Health Professions Council. The caution will last for 2 years.

A panel of the Conduct and Competence Committee met on the 4th February 2005 to consider the case of Nahashon Ngugi at The Britannia Hotel, Portland St, Manchester.

Robert Clegg, Chair of the panel said....."The Panel heard oral evidence as to the concerns relating to the Registrant's conduct and performance whilst he was employed as a Senior 1 Occupational Therapist at Highbank Rehabilitation Centre, Bury between the 2nd February 2004 and the 29th March 2004.  The Panel was told that the Registrant had shredded patients records and signed a document in the name of a colleague.  The Registrant submitted that he had been instructed to shred the records in question which was denied by his manager.  Irrespective of whether such instruction was given or not the shredding of patient records is in itself a serious breach of professional standards to which all Registrants subscribe as a condition of registration.  The Panel finds this to constitute misconduct and the allegation in this respect to be well founded.  

"The Registrant offered no explanation or challenge to the allegation in respect of the false signature.  The Panel take a serious view of this conduct and conclude that this aspect of the allegation to be well founded.  

"The Council did not adduce any evidence to suggest that the Registrant is not operating at a satisfactory level at that time nor that his fitness to practice is currently impaired by reason of lack of competence.  The Registrant produced evidence as to ongoing supervision in his current employment.  In all the circumstances the Panel concluded that the allegation that the Registrant's fitness to practice is impaired due to lack of competence not to be well founded.  

"It is a condition of registration with the Health Professions Council that proper records should be maintained, it concluded that the appropriate sanction would be to impose a caution for a period of two years."  

The Health Professions Council is a UK wide health regulator set up to protect the public. It sets standards for thirteen health professions. The HPC only registers people who meet its standards for their professional skills, behaviour and health, and will take action against people who do not.