21st June 2004
NEWS RELEASE

Swanage physiotherapist suspended from practice for one year

A physiotherapist from Swanage has had his registration suspended for one year by the Health Professions Council (HPC).

A meeting of a panel of the Conduct and Competence committee of the HPC on 16th June heard an allegation that while employed by South West Dorset Primary Care Trust in 2001, John Stuart had undertaken cortisone injections without supervision.

Robert Clegg, chair of the panel, said that John Stuart, "with the support of the trust, undertook a post-registration course, working towards a diploma in injection therapy.

"Before official notification of a successful result Mr Stuart was reported to have injected patients at the Portland hospital, without G.P supervision.

"Mr Stuart then admitted when interviewed on the 14th October that he had injected two patients and had charged them £20 each, contrary to the hospital rules and rule 1 of the standards of conduct, performance and ethics.

"It is in the light of this evidence, we find the case against Mr Stuart well founded.

"In considering the sanctions appropriate to this finding, we have taken into account the very positive remarks Mrs Greaves made concerning Mr Stuart's clinical performance, professional attitude, teaching abilities and contribution to the team.

"In the absence of Mr Stuart, which we very much regret, the sanctions available to us were limited. In order to protect the public, we instruct the registrar to suspend Mr Stuart's registration for a period of 12 months."

The Health Professions Council is a UK-wide health regulator set up to protect the public. It sets standards for twelve 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 he is not registered with the HPC, John Stuart cannot practise anywhere in the UK using the protected title 'physiotherapist'.

ENDS

Notes to editors

1. Full details of this case including the notice of allegation and panel's findings, will be posted on the HPC website here:

http://www.hpc-uk.org/legal/ftp/HPC-03-PH-042.htm

2. Information about the HPC's fitness to practise proceedings can be found on the HPC website here: www.hpc-uk.org/legal

HPC-03-PH-042