Biomedical scientist suspended for lack of competence

30/07/2010 - 16:50

Emesiri Isiakpere suspended from the HPC Register

Biomedical scientist Emesiri Isiakpere has been suspended from the HPC Register for failing to report the grossly abnormal results of a sample taken from a patient whilst working for Ealing Hospital at The Doctors Laboratory.

A panel of the HPC Conduct and Competence Committee heard how Emesiri Isiakpere was responsible for performing analyses of clinical samples and ensuring that reports were valid prior to authorising them.

The Panel also heard that if results of clinical samples were outside agreed limits set by the consultant chemical pathologist it was Emesiri Isiakpere’s responsibility to ensure that the results were conveyed to the relevant clinician or the consultant chemical pathologist.

Panel Chair Mr William Nelson commented:

“It is the judgment of this Panel that whilst the evidence establishes that the registrant did see or ought to have seen the grossly abnormal results of the sample and failed to act on them, there was no convincing evidence from which to conclude that he acted deliberately or recklessly”

“The Panel conclude that the Registrant’s conduct has fallen well below the standards expected of a registered health professional. In reaching its decision, the Panel has taken into account the need to protect the public, maintain confidence in the regulatory process and to uphold and declare proper standards of conduct”

"The Panel considered the failure by the registrant to be a particularly serious incident which could have compromised patient safety and determined that the registrant’s fitness to practise is impaired.”

The panel decided the most appropriate action was to suspend Emesiri Isiakpere from the Register for a period of one year.

Emesiri Isiakpere was neither present nor represented at the hearing.

-ENDS-

Amy Morgan
Communications Officer ­– Media and PR
Health Professions Council www.hpc-uk.org
amy.morgan@hpc-uk.org
+44(0)20 7840 9137

Notes to Editors: http://www.hpc-uk.org/complaints/hearings/index.asp?id=1178

1. The Health Professions Council is an independent, UK-wide health regulator set up by the Health Professions Order (2001).  The HPC keeps a register for fifteen different health professions and only  registers people who meet the standards it sets for their training, professional skills, behaviour and health. The HPC will take action against health professionals who do not meet these standards or who use a protected title illegally.

2. Full details of this hearing will be posted online here: http://www.hpc-uk.org/complaints/hearings/archive/index.asp?id=1459

3. Information about the HPC’s fitness to practise proceedings can be found on the HPC website here: http://www.hpc-uk.org/complaints/

4. HPC currently regulate the following fifteen professions. Each of these professions has one or more ‘protected titles’. Anyone who uses one of these titles must register with the HPC. To see the full list of protected titles please see:
www.hpc-uk.org/aboutregistration/protectedtitles/

Biomedical scientists
Chiropodists / podiatrists
Clinical scientists
Dietitians
Hearing aid dispensers
Occupational therapists
Operating department practitioners
Orthoptists
Paramedics
Physiotherapists
Practitioner psychologists
Prosthetists / orthotists
Radiographers
Speech and language therapists

Amy Morgan
+44(0)20 7840 9137