A physiotherapist has been struck off over his failure to notify his regulatory body that he had been temporarily suspended from practising in the UK amid concerns over his professional competency.
An inquiry found Thangapandian Subramanian guilty of professional misconduct for failing to notify CORU’s Physiotherapists Registration Board that he had been made the subject of two interim suspension orders by its UK counterpart in February and August 2023.
Mr Subramanian, who worked at the TLC nursing home in Citywest, Co Dublin, had his registration suspended by the UK’s Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) two years ago.
The Indian native, who had worked as a physiotherapist for over 24 years, had been registered to work in Ireland since March 2019.
The inquiry by CORU’s Professional Conduct Committee also found that Mr Subramanian had breached the Health and Social Care Professional Act 2005 in relation to the requirement to update information and correct errors.
It followed admissions by the physiotherapist about his failure to notify CORU – the regulatory body of health and social care professionals – about his suspension from practising in the UK and his acceptance that it constituted professional misconduct.
Mr Subramanian acknowledged that the failure also constituted breaches of the Code of Professional Conduct and Ethics for Physiotherapists.
However, he insisted the issue arose out of a “misunderstanding.”
The inquiry heard the physiotherapist had provided false responses when filling out forms about whether he had ever been registered with another regulator and, if so, if he had any restrictions placed on his practice or had adverse findings made against him.
Counsel for CORU, Eoghan O’Sullivan BL, told the inquiry that all physiotherapists have a duty to notify CORU within seven days of any matter which might affect their registration.
The inquiry heard that CORU only became aware of the interim suspension orders in August 2023 when the HCPC sent its Irish counterpart a list of registrants whose practice was subject to restriction.
In correspondence with CORU, Mr Subramanian apologised “unreservedly” for the lack of honesty he had shown when renewing his registration in September 2023.
Mr Subramanian said he had asked the HCPC that same month to cancel his UK registration as he did not want to return to work there, but had not realised that his registration could not be cancelled while a complaint against him was being investigated and an interim suspension order was in place.
“I thought I could remove my name from the register and the complaint would be closed,” he explained.
In further correspondence, the physiotherapist claimed he wrongly believed when filling out the registration form for CORU that questions about any restrictions on his practice only related to matters within the jurisdiction of Ireland.
Mr Subramanian insisted that providing incorrect information was unintentional, as he had not meant to withhold information.
The inquiry heard that the physiotherapist had been suspended for an initial period of 18 months in the UK over concerns about his work with the Kent Community Health NHS Foundation Trust.
The issues related to the physiotherapist’s general conduct, clinical knowledge, poor communications and documentation errors.
It was also claimed Mr Subramanian had got a trauma patient to carry out repeated weight-bearing exercises when they were unable to do it, as well as keeping inaccurate records which did not make “clinical sense.”
The physiotherapist said he had resigned from his job with the NHS due to pressure and rejected the concerns raised about his performance, which he claimed were “baseless, racially motivated and fabricated.”
In recommending that Mr Subramanian’s registration should be cancelled, the inquiry’s chairperson, Shane McCarthy, said he had dishonestly misrepresented that he was not the subject of an interim suspension by his regulator in the UK.
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“The committee finds that honesty is expected of all members of society and of members of a profession as it goes to public safety and the reputation of the profession,” said Dr McCarthy.
He said the committee did not accept Mr Subramanian’s claims that his lack of transparency and honesty was not deliberate.
Dr McCarthy said the sanction of cancelling the physiotherapist’s registration pointed to the gravity of his misconduct and was necessary to protect the public.
Although he had expressed remorse and demonstrated limited insight, Dr McCarthy said the committee was not convinced that his insight minimised a repetition of the conduct as he appeared more focused on getting back to work in Ireland.
Trust Betrayed: Physiotherapist Strike-Off Raises Concerns About Patient Safety and Regulatory Oversight
Time.news: Today, we’re discussing a case that raises serious questions about the integrity of healthcare regulation and patient safety. We are joined by Dr. Anya Sharma, a leading expert in healthcare ethics and professional conduct, to discuss the recent strike-off of a physiotherapist in Ireland. Dr. Sharma, welcome.
Dr. Anya Sharma: Thank you for having me.
Time.news: Dr. Sharma, could you summarize the key details of this case for our readers unfamiliar with the specifics?
Dr. Anya Sharma: Certainly. A physiotherapist named Thangapandian Subramanian has been struck off the register of physiotherapists in Ireland (CORU) due to professional misconduct. Crucially, this wasn’t directly related to his practice in Ireland. He failed to inform CORU that he had been temporarily suspended from practicing in the UK by the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) due to concerns about his competence. He also provided, what was determined to be, false data when filling out registration forms, specifically regarding prior registrations with other regulatory bodies and any restrictions on his practice.
Time.news: So, the strike-off was primarily based on a failure to disclose information, rather than direct harm to patients in Ireland?
Dr. Anya Sharma: That’s correct. While the initial suspension in the UK stemmed from concerns about his clinical knowledge, general conduct, and documentation – issues identified during his work with the NHS – the Irish strike-off centers on the lack of transparency and honesty with the Irish regulatory body, CORU. This breach of trust and ethical standards is considered professional misconduct with implications for patient safety.
Time.news: The article mentions concerns in the UK related to “poor communication” and “inaccurate records.” How can this potentially threaten patient well-being when dealing with a physiotherapist?
Dr. Anya Sharma: Poor communication can severely hinder a rehabilitation process. If a physiotherapist can’t clearly explain exercises or understand a patient’s concerns,it impacts adherence and effectiveness. Inaccurate records? They’re a nightmare for continuity of care. Other healthcare professionals rely on those records to understand a patient’s history, progress, and treatment plan. Inaccurate data can lead to inappropriate or even dangerous interventions.
Time.news: The physiotherapist claimed his conduct was the result of a “misunderstanding” and that he did not intend to withhold information. This was not accepted by the inquiry. Why honesty is paramount in professional healthcare registration?
Dr. Anya sharma: Honesty and transparency are the cornerstones of healthcare regulation. Regulatory bodies rely on accurate information to assess a professional’s suitability to practice and ensure patient safety. Withholding crucial information, even if unintentional, undermines this system. It prevents appropriate risk assessment and potentially exposes patients to harm. The public needs to trust that healthcare professionals are upfront about their history and any restrictions on their practice.
Time.news: What safeguards exist within the healthcare and physiotherapy industry’s regulatory process to ideally prevent similar incidents from occurring?
Dr. Anya Sharma: Several safeguards should be in place. Firstly, robust information-sharing agreements between regulatory bodies in different countries are vital. This is how CORU became aware of the UK suspension in this specific case. Secondly, clear and unambiguous registration and renewal forms are essential, leaving no room for misinterpretation. consistent and thorough verification processes need to be embedded to confirm the information provided by applicants.
Time.news: The physiotherapist claimed the concerns raised about his performance in the UK were “baseless, racially motivated and fabricated.” How are such claims typically addressed in professional misconduct inquiries?
Dr.Anya Sharma: allegations of discrimination are extremely serious and require thorough examination. Regulatory bodies have a duty to ensure fair treatment and address any potential bias. In a misconduct inquiry, such claims would need to be substantiated with credible evidence. The inquiry would likely examine the performance evaluations, incident reports, and testimonies from relevant parties to determine if there was a discriminatory element at play. Though, an allegation of discrimination, on its own, does not excuse professional misconduct.
Time.news: What practical advice would you give to patients seeking physiotherapy treatment to ensure they are receiving care from a qualified and trustworthy professional?
Dr. Anya Sharma: Do your homework. Check the physiotherapist’s registration status on the CORU website or the equivalent regulator in your region. Ask about their experience, qualifications, and areas of specialization.Don’t hesitate to ask direct questions about their professional history. If you have any concerns about the care you are receiving, raise them with the physiotherapist, their supervisor, or the regulatory body. it is indeed critically important to trust your instincts and be proactive in safeguarding your well-being.
Time.news: What should other healthcare professionals learn from this case, especially regarding their ethical obligations?
Dr. anya Sharma: This case underscores the importance of upholding ethical obligations, even when facing personal challenges. healthcare professionals have a duty to be honest, clear, and forthright with regulatory bodies. Failing to do so can have severe consequences, including the loss of their registration and career. It serves as a reminder that maintaining public trust is basic to professional practice.
Time.news: Dr.Sharma, thank you for your insightful perspectives on this critically important issue.
Dr.Anya Sharma: My pleasure. Its vital we continue to have these conversations.
