Dr Tessa de Reuck

Preliminary matters

1. This is a hearing for the consideration and subject to its consent and approval, by a Panel of the Health Committee of the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC), of an agreement for the voluntary removal (Voluntary Removal Agreement) (VRA) from the Register of the name of Dr Tessa de Reuck, the Registrant. A copy of the VRA dated 31 October 2022, signed by the Registrant and also on behalf of the HCPC is before the Panel.

Skeleton Argument

2. For the purposes of this hearing, the HCPC has submitted and the Panel has read, a Skeleton Argument dated 08 July 2022 signed by Kingsley Napley LLP (the Skeleton Argument). The Panel has also read all the documents that are annexed to the Skeleton Argument.

Service of the Notice and proceeding in the absence of the Registrant

3. The Panel has seen a notice sent to the Registrant by email and dated 13 September 2022 which informed the Registrant of the date and time of this hearing. The Panel has also seen a notice sent to the Registrant by email and dated 16 August 2022 which also informed the Registrant of the date and time of this hearing. A copy of both emails was also sent to the Registrant’s legal representative. The Panel has seen an electronic communication dated 13 September 2022 which confirmed that delivery of the email dated 13 September 2022 had been effected.

4. The Panel has further seen an email dated 5 August 2022 from Weightman’s LLP, the Solicitors representing the Registrant, which confirmed that the Registrant did not intend to attend this hearing and would not be represented at it. A copy of this email was also sent to the Registrant. The email of 5 August 2022 was in response to an email from the HCPC dated 26 July 2022 with regard to the listing of the hearing for approval of the VRA.

5. Having regard to the documents identified above, the Panel determined that good service of the notice of this hearing had been effected. Moreover, having regard to the email dated 5 August 2022 from the Registrant’s solicitors, the Panel determined to proceed in the absence of the Registrant.

Proceeding in private

6. Ms Simpeh on behalf of the HCPC submitted that as this application related to the health of the Registrant and in order to protect the privacy of the Registrant, this hearing should be conducted wholly in private. Having heard and accepted the advice of the Legal Assessor, the Panel determined that for the reason advanced by Ms Simpeh, the entirety of this hearing should be conducted in private. As such this is a redacted version of the Panel’s full decision.

ORDER: The Registrar is directed to remove the name of Dr Tessa De Reuck from the Register with immediate effect.

No notes available

History of Hearings for Dr Tessa de Reuck