10th December 2004
NEWS RELEASE
Ilford biomedical scientist is suspended from practice for six months

A biomedical scientist who was registered in Ilford has been suspended from the Register for six months by the Health Professions Council (HPC).

At a meeting of a panel of the Conduct and Competence Committee of the HPC, held on the 9th and 10th December 2004, it was alleged that Tariq Azam's fitness to practise as a registered health professional was impaired by reason of :

1.        His conviction for common assault and criminal damage at Horseferry Road Magistrates Court

2.        By reason of misconduct in that on 12 December 2003 Mr. Azam damaged two items of property belonging to the Barking, Havering and Redbridge Hospitals NHS Trust

Gordon Sutehall, chair of the panel, said,

"The Panel has taken account a number of factors that it has heard today in reaching its conclusion. These are that since Mr Azam's conviction there have been further episodes of anger and aggression; that he has shown a lack of insight into his own behaviour; and that he has shown no evidence of remorse for the actions leading to his conviction.

In considering the available sanctions this Panel believes that in order to protect the public to take no action is not an option available to it. Mediation would not be appropriate and neither would a caution order. We are of the opinion that a striking off order would be disproportionate. In Mr. Azam's absence it is not possible to impose conditions of practice designed to bring his standards of self control up to an acceptable level, because his absence today does not give us confidence that he would be willing to engage with such a sanction.

Therefore, we have decided to direct the Registrar to impose a suspension order for a period of six months.

The Committee will review Mr Azam's case at a further hearing that will be held at a date before his period of suspension ends. At that hearing it will consider whether any further action needs to be taken in respect of Mr Azam's registration."

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.

While Tariq Azam is suspended from the Health Professions Council Register, he cannot practise anywhere in the UK using the legally protected title of 'biomedical scientist'.