SUCCESS FOR AN OCCUPATIONAL THERAPIST IN THE HIGH COURT

An occupational therapist, who was struck-off the register by the Health Professions Council, has had his sanction quashed by the High Court.

The Heath Professions Council consented to the sanction being quashed on the day of the hearing as a result of the appellant's arguments that striking-off was disproportionate. It was argued that the Conduct and Competence Committee had not had proper regard to the impact of the order on the appellant's potential future career as a doctor, that he was unrepresented at the disciplinary hearing, and that cultural differences may have affected the way he expressed himself (among other matters).

It was agreed that that the appeal should be allowed so that the Conduct and Competence Committee can consider the contents of the appellant's skeleton argument and redetermine sanction on the basis that it will impose a lesser sanction than striking-off. The Health Professions Council will pay the appellant's costs.

Annabel Graham Paul acted for the successful appellant. She was instructed by Mr Jaswinder Gill of AP Law.