Mrs Margaret Donnelly

Preliminary Matters

Service/ Proceeding in Absence

1. The Panel noted that Notice of this hearing was sent to the Registrant on
25 January 2021. This was sent to the Registrant’s registered email address. The Panel noted that the Notice contained the mandatory requirements as to date, time and mode of hearing. In the circumstances, the Panel was satisfied Notice was served properly in compliance with the Rules.

2. The Panel noted that the Registrant did not attend the hearing. The Panel then went on to consider the submission made by Mr Millin on behalf of the HCPC to proceed in the absence of the Registrant.

3. Mr Millin highlighted there had been no communication from the Registrant from about June 2019. Mr Millin pointed to the most recent communication sent to the Registrant on 27 May 2021 via email inviting her to confirm her attendance at the hearing to which there had been no response.

4. The Panel was satisfied that there was no information from the Registrant that she wished to attend or otherwise engage in this process and that she had not responded to the most recent email sent to her. There was no information before the Panel that an adjournment would secure her attendance in the future. The Panel determined that the public interest, namely the protection and maintenance of the health and safety of the public in hearing this matter outweighed the right of the Registrant to attend. In the circumstances, the Panel acceded to the application to proceed in the Registrant’s absence.

The Registrar is directed to suspend the Registrant’s registration for a period of 12 months. 

The Order will be reviewed before its expiry.

Interim Order

The Panel makes an Interim Suspension Order under Article 31(2) of the Health Professions Order 2001, the same being necessary to protect members of the public, being otherwise in the public interest and in the Registrant’s interest.

This order will expire: (if no appeal is made against the Panel’s decision and Order) upon the expiry of the period during which such an appeal could be made; (if an appeal is made against the Panel’s decision and Order) the final determination of that appeal, subject to a maximum period of 18 months.

History of Hearings for Mrs Margaret Donnelly