Ms Julie Haydon

Preliminary Matters

Proceeding in private

1. The Panel heard that matters relating to the Registrant’s health were to be discussed as part of this application. Ms Manning-Rees submitted that it was appropriate that the entire hearing be held in private as the Registrants health was intrinsically linked to the issues in this case. The Panel accepted the Legal Assessor’s advice and it noted Rule 10(1)(a) of the Health and Care Professions Council (Health Committee) Procedure Rules 2003 (“Procedural Rules”) whereby matters pertaining to the health of the Registrant should be heard in private.

2. The Panel agreed the entire hearing should be in private as the Registrant’s health issues form a major part of the HCPC’s case at this stage.

Proceeding in the absence of the Registrant

3. The Registrant attended the hearing on the first day and participated in the proceedings. On the second day, the Registrant emailed the HCPTS shortly after noon to inform them that she had finished work and indicated that she would be attending the hearing, which was due to resume at 13:30. However, the Registrant did not attend, and despite attempts by the HCPTS to contact her, there was no further communication from the Registrant. The Panel waited to 14:30 before resuming.

4. As the Registrant still had not attended nor communicated with the HCPTS, the Panel then went on to consider whether to proceed in the absence of the Registrant pursuant to Rule 11 of the Rules. In doing so, it considered the submissions of Ms Manning-Rees on behalf of the HCPC.

5. Ms Manning-Rees submitted that the notice of hearing had been served upon the Registrant as evidenced by her attendance yesterday. Ms Manning-Rees submitted that it was right and proper for the Panel to proceed in the Registrant’s absence where the Registrant has not attended or communicated with the HCPTS regarding her absence or seeking an adjournment, and the Panel has already delayed the resumption of proceedings by 60 minutes.

6. The Panel accepted the advice of the Legal Assessor. It accepted that the Notice of Hearing had been properly served upon the Registrant. It was clear, from the principles derived from case law, that the Panel was required to ensure that fairness and justice were maintained when deciding whether or not to proceed in a Registrant’s absence.

7. The Panel was satisfied that all reasonable efforts had been made by the HCPTS to contact the Registrant today. This included emails and telephone calls to the Registrant’s telephone number.

8. The Panel was satisfied that the Registrant was absent voluntarily. Having weighed the public interest for expedition in cases and the Registrant’s own interest, the Panel decided to proceed in the Registrant’s absence.

ORDER: The Registrar is directed to annotate the Register to show that, for a period of 24 months from the date that this Order comes into effect (“the Operative Date”), you, Miss Julie Haydon, must comply with the following conditions of practice:

When you are working as an Occupational Therapist (whether in employment or as a volunteer):

1. [redacted]

2. You must promptly inform the HCPC if you take up employment as an Occupational Therapist or any other role dependent upon your registration with the HCPC.

3. You must promptly inform the HCPC of any disciplinary proceedings taken against you in your role as an Occupational Therapist by your employer.

4. You must register with and remain under the care of a general practitioner and inform them that you are subject to these conditions.

5. You must follow any treatment plan designed by your general practitioner and/or any other healthcare professionals [redacted].

6. You must inform your general practitioner and/or any other healthcare profession concerned with [redacted] about these conditions of practice and authorise that person(s) to provide the HCPC with information about your health and any treatment you are receiving.

7. You must keep your professional commitments under review and limit your professional practice in accordance with the advice of your general practitioner and/or any other healthcare professional mentioned above.

8. You must cease practising immediately if you are advised to do so by your either of your general practitioner and/or any of the abovementioned healthcare professionals.

9. [redacted]

10. You must inform the following parties that your registration is subject to these conditions:

a) any organisation or person employing or contracting with you to undertake work as an Occupational Therapist;

b) any agency you are registered with or apply to be registered with as an Occupational Therapist (at the time of application);

11. You will be responsible for meeting any and all costs associated with complying with these conditions.

12. Any condition requiring you to provide any information to the HCPC is to be met by you sending the information to the offices of the HCPC, marked for the attention of the relevant Case Manager.

This order will be reviewed again before its expiry on 11 March 2024.

Interim Order:

The Panel makes an Interim Conditions of Practice Order in the same terms as set out above 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 also being in the interest of the Registrant herself. 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 Ms Julie Haydon