Communications Committee – Monday 25 February 2008
Press Coverage Report
Executive summary and recommendations
Introduction
Since the last Communications Committee in October 2007, the Communications Manager has issued five general press releases on a range of issues including the launch of the approvals and monitoring annual report, launch of the new standards of proficiency, new public awareness campaign and literature, joint psychology consultations and the Department of Health’s draft legislation consultation. She has also issued news releases and written articles for a range of professional journals on renewals, CPD, consultations, new publications, awareness campaigns and FTP cases.
The Communications Officer continues to issue weekly media alerts highlighting forthcoming Fitness to Practise Hearings and has issued 23 press releases on professionals who have been struck off or suspended between October and January.
Coverage is monitored on a daily basis and the attached reports detail the coverage that has been received each month from October 2007 up to and including January 2008.
Decision
This paper is for information only. No decision is required.
Background information
None
Resource implications
None
Financial implications
None
Appendices
Press coverage reports for each month from October 2007 up to and including January 2008
Date of paper
25 February 2008
Coverage Report (October 2007 – January 2008)
The following coverage appeared between the 1 and 30 October 2007
Fitness to Practise
Date Publication/ Website
Title of article Summary
02.10.07 Newcastle Journal
Shoplifting therapist is struck off register
Claire Fox – OT An occupational therapist who was given police cautions for shoplifting has been struck off….
02.10.07 Sunderland Echo
Therapist struck off Claire Fox – OT An occupational therapist who was given police cautions for shoplifting has been struck off….
04.10.07 Nottingham Recorder
Stab man is struck off
Kart Tett – ODP A medical centre worker who killed a man by stabbing him with a pen has been struck off by his professional body…..
05.10.07 www.thisisswansea.co.uk
Rap for Wale’s eating expert
Daniel Kings - DT A Swansea dietitian who works along side the Welsh rugby squad has escaped further action….
05.10.07 Yorkshire Evening Post
Scientist struck off over fatal blunder
David Pratt - BS A hospital scientist has been struck off by his professional body over a blunder which claimed the life of a Leeds great-grandmother…
08.10.07 Yorkshire Evening Post
Son backs move to strike off blood error scientist
David Pratt - BS A Leeds businessman today welcomed the decision to strike off a scientist….
11.10.07 Prestwich Advertiser
Medic was negligent from the start
John Johnson – PA A Prestwich man whose partner died of a brain bleed after a paramedic failed to carry out checks says he should have been struck off….
11.10.07 Manchester Evening News
Blundering paramedic and the patient who died five days later
John Johnson – PA Damning verdict on 999 man who didn’t carry out basic checks on mum-of-two….
11.10.07 Wigan Evening Post
Failed checks caused mum’s
John Johnson – PA A young mum died of a brain bleed
death after a Leigh paramedic failed to carry out basic checks…
11.10.07 South Manchester Reporter
Paramedic demoted over tragic death
John Johnson – PA A young mum died of a brain bleed after a paramedic failed to carry out basic checks…
12.10.07 Bolton Evening News
Paramedic suspended after death of patient
John Johnson – PA A paramedic has been suspended for six months after he failed to make basic checks on a patient…
13.10.07 Gloucestershire Echo
Speech therapist struck off by HPC
Alexandra Bolton – SLT A speech and language therapist has been struck off by the HPC after it found her guilty of an ‘extensive’ list of shortcomings…
15.10.07 The Bolton News
Paramedic suspended over woman’s death
John Johnson – PA A paramedic who failed to make basic checks on a patient who complained of severe headaches…..has been suspended…..
18.10.07 Leigh Reporter
Paramedic’s failings
John Johnson – PA A Leigh paramedic has been found guilty of ‘gross negligence’ after failing to carry out basic checks on a critically ill woman…..
18.10.07 Prestwich & Whitefield Guide
Partner describes his heartbreak to hearing
John Johnson – PA Mum died days after paramedic failed to make basic checks….
19.10.07 Daily Mail Lesbian foot specialist struck off after posing in bondage gear and saying f*** Easter in front of nun
Joanne Fuller – CH A lesbian foot specialist has been struck off for showing colleagues images of her…..
20.10.07 The Sun Lesbian foot doctor struck off after looking at nude pictures at work…
Joanne Fuller – CH A lesbian foot doctor has been struck off after looking at nude pictures a work, doing a Nazi salute and telling a nun ‘f*** Easter….
Other coverage
Date Publication/ Website
Title of article Summary
06.10.07 Belfast Telegraph
Dr Fred Kavalier Casebook
Were can I get nutrition advice?
Professional Bodies
Date Publication Title of article
Autumn 2007
Journal of Podiatric Medicine
HPC update articles including election, new Council members and FTP releases
October 2007
Synergy News National sonographer’s register
September 2007
The Psychologist Regulatory update from President of the BPS
The following coverage appeared between the 1 and 30 November 2007
Fitness to Practise
Date Publication/ Website
Title of article Summary
09.11.07 Gloucester Citizen County radiographer is struck off
Bartholomew Esilaba – RA A radiographer has been struck off for posing a ‘danger to the public’…
09.11.07 www.thisisgloucestershire.co.uk
County radiographer is struck off
Bartholomew Esilaba – RA A radiographer has been struck off for posing a ‘danger to the public’…
12.11.07 Cumbria News & Star
Therapist suspended for public protection
Leanne Russell – OT Woman failed to supervise staff or deal safely with infection risks…
12.11.07 www.newsandstar.co.uk
Therapist suspended
Leanne Russell – OT A Cumbrian OT has been suspended from work for a year for the protection of the public…
12.11.07 Buxton Advertiser Health therapist suspended over failings
Leanne Russell – OT Cumbrian OT has been suspended from work for a year for the protection of the public…
14.11.07 Liverpool Echo Physio is struck off
Boban Rodolph – PH A Merseyside physio who carried out ‘inappropriate examinations’ of two women patients has been struck off….
14.11.07 Cumbria News and Star
Leanne Russell correction
Leanne Russell – OT Correction of incorrect article…
16.11.07 Workingham Times and Star
Health worker suspended for incompetence
Leanne Russell – OT A Cumbrian OT has been suspended from work for a year for the protection of the public…
22.11.07 Doncaster Free Press
Hospital scientist is struck off after attack on
Thabo Phirie - BMS A Doncaster hospital scientist has been struck off after causing grievous bodily harm to his partner
partner by throwing an ashtray at her…. 28.11.07 Middlesborough
Gazette She did nothing
Sharon Cooke – PA Paramedic Sharon Cooke did nothing for Wilfred Crooks who had been struggling to breathe….
28.11.07 Hartlepool Mail Why was sick dad left at home?
Sharon Cooke – PA A heart attack victim died after a paramedic failed to take him to hospital….
28.11.07 www.hartlepool.co.uk
Heart attack death wrong assessment claim
Sharon Cooke – PA A heart attack victim died after a paramedic failed to take him to hospital….
29.11.07 www.hartlepool.co.uk
Paramedic: patient refused hospital advice
Sharon Cooke – PA A paramedic accused of failing to provide care has spoken of how the victim refused to go to hospital…
30.11.07 www.hartlepool.co.uk
Guilty paramedic keeps job
Sharon Cooke – PA A paramedic who failed to take a heard attack victim to hospital before he died can keep her job...
Other coverage
Date Publication/ Website
Title of article Summary
17.11.07 My Weekly Dr Sarah Jarvis: Chiropody and the NHS
Article about chiropody services on the NHS
Professional Bodies
Date Publication Title of article
Nov/Dec 2007
Chiropody Review Pam Sabine - Analysis of grandparenting process report
Nov/Dec 2007
Chiropody Review CPD audit article – don’t leave it too late
Nov/Dec 2007
Chiropody Review Advert for leaflets and posters etc
November 2007
Podiatry Now HPC publishes grandparenting report / countdown to CPD audits
November 2007
Podiatry Now CPD profiles and re-registration 2008
November 2007
Podiatry Now Advert for leaflets and posters etc
November 2007
Rad Magazine Countdown to CPD audits
November 2007
Rad Magazine Pay and Sign
Other coverage
Date Publication/ Website
Title of article
Summary
16/12/07 The Observer Absolutely Fabio: new man will sort players’ heads
Article about protection of the title ‘sports psychologists’ in relation to football.
Dec 2007 Dancing Times Dieticians and Nutritionists
Article about the difference between a dietitian and a nutritionist.
Professional Bodies
Date Publication Title of article
Winter 2007 Speech and Language Therapy in Practice
Keeping up standards
Winter 2007 The Journal of Podiatric Medicine
HPC Reports
Winter 2007 The Journal of Podiatric Medicine
HPC election – the whole story
December 07
Psychologist Statutory regulation update
December 07
Rad Magazine HPC launches new standards of proficiency
December 07
Podiatry Now HPC launches new standards of proficiency
December 07
Podiatry Now HPC launches new-look public facing literature
The following coverage appeared between the 1 and 31 January 2008 Fitness to Practise
Date Publication/ Website
Title of article
Summary
10/01/08 Suffolk and Essex Online
Couple stole laughing gas from ambulance
Keith Hotchkiss - PA A midwife and her paramedic husband have been struck off the register…..
10/01/08 East Anglian Daily Times
Laughing gas theft couple are struck off
Keith Hotchkiss - PA Nitrous oxide cylinders taken from ambulance station by midwife and her paramedic husband…..
13/01/08 News of the World Gas theft sackings
Keith Hotchkiss - PA A midwife and her paramedic husband have been banned from the nursing profession after laughing gas was stolen from an ambulance station….
Other coverage
Date Publication/ Website
Title of article
Summary
January 2008
Prima (Feb edition)
Dr Sarah Brewer advice column
Help me with my diet! Advice on using a registered dietitian
09/01/08 Time Out London Coach me if you can
Article about life coaches and how you can trust that the person treating you is qualified
19/01/08 Peterborough Evening Telegraph
Expert health tips
Make sure you’re in safe hands Article about the importance of using a registered physiotherapist
Professional Bodies
Date Publication Title of article
January 2008
Bulletin HPC launches new proficiency standards for SLTs (article also includes update about public facing literature)
2 January 2008
Physiotherapy Frontline Physio suspended (Rene Revillas)
Jan/Feb 2008
Podiatry Review (formerly known as Chiropody Review)
Guide to CPD and registration
January 2008
Podiatry Now The HPC is working with health professionals to protect the public