Our team of specialist lawyers has experience of dealing with a wide range of cases before the Health and Care Professions Council. The following case studies are examples of our recent work in this area. If you are under investigation by the HCPC or you have been referred to a hearing, please contact our team without delay either by calling us on 0161 696 6250 or by completing our online enquiry form. For more information regarding our experience and expertise in this area, please see our HCPC lawyers page.
HCPC investigations
Our lawyers acted for a practitioner psychologist facing multiple allegations of misconduct. Written submissions were made to the HCPC’s investigating committee arguing that there was no realistic prospect of the factual allegations being proven, that the allegations did not amount to misconduct, and that there was no prospect of a finding of current impairment. Strong supportive evidence was put forward alongside the submissions. The Committee concluded that there was no case to answer and no further action was taken.
Our lawyers acted for an operating department practitioner who was accused of misconduct relating to medicines management. The allegations were admitted and submissions made to the investigating committee. Strong evidence of excellent practise was presented along with significant insight and remediation. The investigating committee found there was no prospect of a finding of current impairment. The panel concluded there was no case to answer and no further action was taken.
Our lawyers acted for a paramedic facing several allegations of poor professional competence and misconduct. Written submissions were made to the HCPC’s investigating committee who found that that there was no realistic prospect of a finding of impairment of fitness to practise. The committee therefore concluded the case with no further action.
Our lawyers acted for a practitioner psychologist who was referred to the HCPC by a private patient following treatment for a complex condition. We advised our client to provide relevant information and evidence at the outset of the investigation. This resulted in the HCPC concluding that their threshold criteria was not met and the case was dismissed without the need for a formal investigation.
HCPC hearings
Our lawyers acted on behalf of an occupational therapist facing an allegation of misconduct in relation to an inappropriate comment made in the workplace which was alleged to be racially disparaging. The case was heard by a panel of the HCPC’s conduct and competence committee. While the allegations were admitted, and evidence was put forward detailing the registrant’s excellent practice and significant insight into the incident. The panel found that our client’s fitness to practise was not currently impaired and therefore no sanction was imposed. Our client was able to continue to practice without restriction.
Our lawyers acted for a radiographer facing a number of allegations including poor competence and aggressive behaviour towards colleagues. The case was heard by a panel of the HCPC’s conduct and competence committee. The most serious allegations were successfully defended at the hearing and the panel found that our client’s fitness to practice was not currently impaired. Our client was able to continue to practice without restriction.
Our lawyers acted for an operating department practitioner referred to a hearing before the HCPC’s conduct and competence committee following a criminal conviction for a violent offence. The allegation was admitted but extensive evidence of mitigation, insight and reflection was put forward at the hearing. The committee imposed a caution order which did not present our client from continuing to practise.
Our lawyers acted for a practitioner psychologist whose application for registration was refused by the HCPC. We advised that the decision could be challenged and an appeal was pursued to the HCPC’s Registration Appeals Panel. We argued that when considering our client’s application the HCPC’s Education and Training Committee had failed to properly consider our client’s evidence which satisfied the standards of proficiency. The appeal was successful and out client’s application for registration was granted.
If you are under investigation by the Health and Care Professions Council or you have been referred to a hearing, please contact our team without delay either by calling us on 0161 696 6250 or by completing our online enquiry form.