Emma Thompson

Preliminary Matters

Service and proceeding in the absence of the Registrant 

1.    The Panel was satisfied that fair and proper notice of today’s hearing had been served on the Registrant as the Notice of Hearing was sent to her at her registered email address with the HCPC on 14 May 2026. 

2.    The Panel next considered an application by Ms Sampson to proceed in the Registrant’s absence. She advised that the Registrant has not replied to the Notice of Hearing or to any of the follow up letters sent to her by the HCPC seeking her engagement, advising on the review and on the possibility of voluntary removal. There has been no reply or engagement and there is no application for an adjournment. There is a public interest in expedition, and this is a statutory, required review. 

3.    The Panel was mindful of the HCPTS Practice Note on Proceeding in the Absence of the Registrant, and is aware that its discretion to proceed in the absence is one which should be exercised with care and caution. It accepted the advice of the Legal Assessor who referred it to the guidance in GMC v Adeogba [2016] EWCA Civ 162 which makes clear that the first question the Panel should ask is whether all reasonable efforts have been taken to serve the Registrant with notice. If the Panel is satisfied on notice, the discretion whether to proceed must be exercised having regard to all the circumstances with fairness to the Registrant being a prime consideration, but balanced with fairness to the HCPC and the public interest. 

4.    The Panel decided to proceed in the Registrant’s absence as it is satisfied that it is fair and in the public interest to do so. In reaching this decision, the Panel has taken account of the lack of any engagement by the Registrant for some years. There has been no response to the Notice or the letters sent to her by the HCPC, and there has been no request for an adjournment.

5.    The Panel concluded that the HCPC has made considerable efforts to notify and to engage the Registrant, but she has chosen to absent herself and has waived her right to attend. Having balanced fairness to the Registrant with fairness to the HCPC and the wider public, the Panel was satisfied that it was fair and appropriate to proceed today in the Registrant’s absence. 

Application for a private hearing 

6.    The Panel was advised by Ms Sampson that information regarding the Registrant’s health will arise as this is a health case. Having taken advice from the Legal Assessor as to the interests of justice and the importance of the open justice principle, the Panel concluded that it was appropriate in the circumstances of this health case to conduct the entire hearing in private in order to protect the Registrant’s right to privacy. As such, this is a redacted version of the Panel’s full decision.

[Redacted].

7.    [Redacted]. The Panel noted that a Striking Off Order is not yet available because two years have not elapsed since the Suspension Order was first imposed. The Panel therefore concluded that a four-month extension represented the minimum period necessary to maintain public protection whilst allowing the matter to return before a reviewing panel once all sanction options become available. 

8.    The Panel concluded that a further period of Suspension would be appropriate, and it decided to impose that order for a period of four months. A future reviewing panel may be assisted by the following:

a.    Updated evidence addressing the Registrant's current health and risk of relapse;

b.     Evidence regarding compliance with treatment and monitoring arrangements;

c.     Evidence of insight into the health condition and its impact upon professional practice;

d.     Information regarding future professional intentions; and

e.     Evidence demonstrating whether the Registrant wishes to return to professional practice.

ORDER: The Registrar is directed to suspend the name of Emma Thompson from the Register for a period of four months.

The Order imposed today will apply from the expiry of the current order, namely 1 August 2026. This Order will be reviewed again before its expiry on 1 December 2026.

History of Hearings for Emma Thompson