Ms Surinder Kaur
Please note that the decision can take up to 5 working days to be uploaded onto the HCPTS website. Please contact one of our Hearings Team Managers via tsteam@hcpts-uk.org or +44 (0)808 164 3084 if you require any further information.
Allegation
Your fitness to practise as an Occupational Therapist is impaired by reason of your health, as described in Schedule A.
Finding
Preliminary Matters
Service
1. The Registrant was served with a Notice of Hearing on 21 January 2021. The Panel accordingly found that sufficient notice had been provided to the Registrant of the day, time and venue (virtual) of the hearing. The Panel was satisfied that email communication is an appropriate and necessary method of communication due to the current Covid-19 situation, and that the Notice of Hearing was sent to the Registrant’s registered email address, which the Registrant herself has used to correspond with the Council in this matter.
2. For the above reasons, the Panel has determined that there is good service of the Notice of Hearing.
Proceeding in Absence
3. The Panel heard and accepted the advice of the Legal Assessor.
4. Whilst the Panel is aware that a decision to proceed in the absence of the Registrant is one to be taken with great care and caution, the Panel has decided to exercise its discretion to proceed in the absence of the Registrant in accordance with Rule 11 of the Rules. It considers this to be in the interests of justice, given the voluntary absence of the Registrant.
5. In reaching its decision, the Panel had regard to the following matters:
• Service of the appropriate notice of this hearing has been properly effected.
• The Registrant has not applied for an adjournment or sought to object to this hearing proceeding in her absence.
• The Registrant was fully aware of this hearing and has written an email dated 16 February 2021, to state that she was content for the hearing to proceed without her being present, given that she had agreed to be removed from the register on a voluntary basis.
• The Registrant has engaged with the HCPC in relation to this matter and has provided a signed Voluntary Removal Agreement to be placed before the Panel.
• The HCPC consents to the Registrant’s Voluntary Removal from the Register.
• There would be no prejudice or unfairness to the Registrant if the hearing proceeds today.
• There is a public interest with the matter proceeding expeditiously.
Hearing in Private
6. The Panel noted that this case is primarily one concerning health, involving the health and private life of the Registrant. Accordingly, the Panel, decided that the hearing should be held in private. It did so on the basis that personal details of the Registrant's health should be kept private.
Order
The Registrar is directed to remove the name of Ms Surinder Kaur from the Register with immediate effect.
Notes
No notes available
Hearing History
History of Hearings for Ms Surinder Kaur
Date | Panel | Hearing type | Outcomes / Status |
---|---|---|---|
19/02/2021 | Conduct and Competence Committee | Voluntary Removal Agreement | Voluntary Removal agreed |