1st April 2005
NEWS RELEASE
Glasgow occupational therapist struck off by UK health regulator

An occupational therapist from Kings Park, Glasgow has been struck off by the Health Professions Council. Fraser Richmond will not be able to practise using the legally protected title 'occupational therapist' for the next 5 years.

A panel of the Conduct and Competence Committee met on the 31st March to consider the case of Fraser Richmond at the Thistle Hotel, Glasgow. Mr. Richmond was convicted of public indecency on 1st October 2004.

Sandy Yule, Chair of the Panel said... "The Panel finds that Mr Richmond's fitness to practice as a registered Occupational Therapist is impaired. Public indecency is a serious offence and the conviction demonstrates that Mr Richmond has failed to comply with Paragraph 3 of the Standards of Conduct, Performance and Ethics of the Health Professions Council in that he has not kept high standards of personal conduct. Furthermore the Panel believes that the conviction has damaged the Occupational Therapists profession's reputation and so contravenes Paragraph 16 of the same standards.

"The Panel has considered all sanctions open to it....in the interest of public safety the Panel has decided to make an order directing the Registrar to strike Mr Fraser Richmond off the register as described in Paragraph 29 (5) (a) of the Health Professions Order 2001."

Mr. Fraser has 28 days to appeal against the Committee's decision. The Panel agreed to grant an Interim Suspension Order for a period of 28 days or until any appeal made is withdrawn or otherwise disposed of (subject to a maximum of 18 months).

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.