12th April 2005
NEWS RELEASE
Nottingham chiropodist suspended by health regulator

A panel of the Conduct and Competence Committee of the HPC met on the 8th April at the Citilodge Hotel, Nottingham to hear the case of Natasha Gorringe. The panel heard the allegation that her fitness to practise as a registered health professional is impaired by reason of her misconduct in that she falsified patient records and breached patient confidentiality.

Robert Clegg, Chairman of the Panel said "It was established that Natasha Gorringe was employed by the Gedling Primary Care Trust as a basic grade podiatrist from December 2000, and was appointed as a senior 2 grade podiatrist based at Carlton Health Centre from 2002.

"Evidence was adduced that Natasha Gorringe had made false entries in the record card of two patients that treatment had been carried out at their homes when none had in fact been given on those dates. In fact one patient had died 2 months prior to the alleged treatment.

"In addition, on 22 January 2004 the records of two patients were discovered in one of the patient's homes. Natasha Gorringe was the last person to have seen these two patients on a visit recorded on 29 October 2003.

"In the light of the evidence presented, the Panel finds....that the allegation that Natasha Gorringe's fitness to practise is impaired by reason of misconduct is well founded, specifically in relation to a breach of standard 10 of the Standards of Conduct, Performance and Ethics. There is potentially a breach of standard 2 as well as standards 14 and 16.

"The Panel concludes that a suspension order for 12 months is necessary to protect the public".

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.