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NHS trust admits liability for doctor who sexually abused patients

2025-01-14 15:05

A hospital trust has admitted liability for the actions of a doctor found to have used invasive and intimate procedures on patients for sexual gratification.

Dr Iuliu Stan, who worked for the Royal Cornwall hospitals NHS trust between 2015 and 2020, was found by a tribunal to have subjected a number of patients to “unnecessary” use of rectal medication for men and boys.

A misconduct hearing held last year was told Stan inappropriately prescribed and administered rectal medication without obtaining informed consent, offering a chaperone or providing alternative options.

The tribunal found that Stan’s behaviour was “sexually motivated in relation to multiple patients”.

In statement, the Royal Cornwall hospital said: “We have written to affected individuals to admit liability for the actions of Dr Stan and to offer an unreserved apology to victims. We are deeply sorry for the distress caused by his serious professional misconduct and his abuse of the trust placed in him by patients.

“Whilst we must follow due legal process, we will be doing everything we can to bring investigations and claims made by his victims to an early conclusion.”

Stan, who qualified in Romania, worked as a locum senior house officer in trauma and orthopaedics.

The tribunal report said: “He had subjected patients to unnecessary, invasive and intimate procedures for his own sexual gratification. In some cases the same patient had been subjected to intimate and invasive procedures by Dr Stan on multiple occasions.”

Stan’s registration as a doctor was immediately suspended and erased following the tribunal, which concluded in February 2024.

Solicitors representing patients affected by the doctor’s actions welcomed the apology and acceptance of liability from Royal Cornwall hospitals NHS trust.

Matthew Jones, from Thompsons’ Solicitors medical negligence team, said the firm was representing a “growing number” of patients. “We welcome the trust’s apology and its recognition of the considerable distress caused to patients by Dr Stan’s unacceptable behaviour,” he said.

“Whilst it is impossible to undo the harm caused, this acknowledgment and admission of negligence is an important step in helping patients find closure and holding those responsible to account.”

A letter sent to the firm issued an unreserved apology to patients harmed by Stan’s misconduct and admitted his prescription and administration of rectal medication to certain patients was negligent, he added.

It followed correspondence to about 200 patients last summer, the firm said, which apologised for Stan’s professional misconduct and abuse of trust.

Jones said: “The breadth and severity of the alleged misconduct by Dr Stan are deeply troubling. Based on the evidence and patterns of behaviour outlined in the tribunal’s report, we believe there may be hundreds of victims who suffered under his care.

“We urge anyone who may have been affected to come forward and seek the support they need.”

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