Cornwall Street’s Jonathan Storey (instructed by Michelle Stewart of Thompsons Solicitors) has this week secured the acquittal of an Operating Department Practitioner from the North East of England who faced multiple allegations of serious clinical and communication failures.
The hearing, which took place over seven days before the Conduct and Competence Committee of the Health and Care Professions Tribunal, involved witness evidence from six specialist colleagues on matters relating to his client’s communication with others, allegedly poor attitude, patient handovers, pre-operative checks, post-operative checks, observations and record-keeping.
After hearing the evidence and receiving detailed submissions on behalf of the regulator, the Health and Care Professions Council, and by Jonathan on behalf of his client, the committee rejected the vast majority of the allegations she faced and concluded that the two remaining particulars did not amount to serious misconduct such that her fitness to practise was impaired.
Jonathan, who is a specialist practitioner in the field of professional regulation (and is ranked for his expertise in both Chambers and Partners and the Legal 500), has extensive experience of supporting and representing clients from the healthcare, education, animal care and legal professions who face proceedings relating to their fitness to practise. He is also a Legally Qualified Chair of the Medical Practitioners Tribunal and chairs the Fitness to Practise Committees of both the Nursing and Midwifery Council and Social Care Wales.