Our case studies are based on real life fitness to practise concerns we have received
Type of concern: Dishonesty – fraud
Profession: Operating department practitioner
Standards
When these events happened, previous versions of the standards were in place (standards of proficiency for operating department practitioners 2013) and standards of conduct, performance and ethics 2012). To avoid confusion the most recent versions are shown.
Standards of conduct, performance and ethics (1 September 2024)
- 9.1 You must make sure that your conduct justifies the public’s trust and confidence in you and your profession.
- 9.5 You must tell us as soon as possible if:
- you accept a caution from the police or you have been charged with, or found guilty of, a criminal offence;
- another organisation responsible for regulating a health or social-care profession has taken action or made a finding against you; or
- you have had any restriction placed on your practice, or been suspended or dismissed by an employer, because of concerns about your conduct or competence.
Standards of proficiency for operating department practitioners (1 September 2023)
- 2.1 maintain high standards of personal and professional conduct
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3. look after their health and wellbeing, seeking appropriate support where necessary
Case study
An employer raised concerns about an operating department practitioner’s conviction of fraud. For this conviction, she was sentenced to 18 months' imprisonment and suspended for 24 months. The registrant had withdrawn money from her stepfather’s bank accounts, whilst registered as Power of Attorney for his property and finances. She used this money for her personal gain.
The registrant was not present at the hearing nor was she represented. The Panel was satisfied that the facts were proven, and amounted to the statutory ground of conviction. The registrant had pleaded guilty to the offence at the Crown Court. However, she had not provided any evidence to demonstrate insight, remorse or remediation. In the absence of such information, the Panel was of the view that there remained a risk of repetition. The Panel agreed that the case was serious.
The registrant had pleaded guilty to an offence of dishonesty. She had abused the position of trust in which she had been placed. Namely, to act as the Power of Attorney for her vulnerable stepfather who lacked the capacity to manage his own affairs and finances. The offence had taken place over a number of years.
The Panel felt that the registrant’s conduct had brought the profession into disrepute. The Panel felt that it would have a detrimental effect on the reputation of the regulator and would undermine public confidence in the profession if they were to find no current impairment. The Panel was also of the view that a finding of impairment was required to declare and uphold proper standards of conduct and behaviour.
The Panel then went on to consider which sanction to impose to protect the public. It was clear to the Panel that any reasonably well-informed member of the public would be profoundly concerned if an operating department practitioner, convicted of such an offence, was not removed from the Register. Therefore, the Panel concluded that the nature and gravity of the registrant’s offending was such that a striking-off order was required.
Measures we put in place to protect the public
The Conduct and Competence Committee imposed a striking-off order.
- Cyhoeddwyd:
- 14/01/2019
- Resources
- Learning material
- Is-gategori:
- Case study
- Audience
- Cofrestredig, Employers
- Profession
- Operating department practitioners