OncologyOperating Department Practitioner Struck Off For Failure To Report Drug Misuse
Operating Department Practitioner, Mr Mark McFarlane has been struck off
the HPC Register after he failed to report the misuse of drugs by a
colleague.
The HPC Conduct and Competence Committee heard that Mr McFarlane knew a
colleague was removing drugs for their own personal use and did not report
that fact to his employer or the HPC.
Standard four of the HPC standards of conduct, performance and ethics
requires the disclosure of important information about other registrants
and Mr McFarlane failed in his duty to report the matter to the HPC.
HPC Panel Chair, Mr Raymond Pattison commented:
"There was clearly potential for the drug usage to compromise patient
safety and Mr McFarlane"s failure to disclose his colleague"s behaviour
represented a very serious misjudgement."
The Panel determined that Mr McFarlane"s fitness to practise was impaired
by reason of misconduct and decided to strike Mr McFarlane from the
Register.
"Mr McFarlane"s default was serious and requires the imposition of a
sanction.
"The Panel is satisfied that a striking-off order is a proportionate
response to the allegation because the failure to engage in the HPC process
itself demonstrates a lack of insight into the shortcomings underpinning
the allegation."
Mr McFarlane was neither present nor represented at the hearing.
Health Professions Council