Former patients of a doctor in Cornwall who carried out intimate procedures for his own sexual gratification have begun legal action against the hospital trust.

It is after Dr Iuliu Stan – a former locum senior house officer in trauma and orthopaedics for the Royal Cornwall Hospitals NHS Trust – was found to have subjected patients to “unnecessary, invasive and intimate procedures for his own sexual gratification.”

A tribunal panel also found “clear evidence” that he had a preference for both prescribing and administering pain relief drugs in general to younger male patients.

As a result, Dr Stan has been struck off. He was immediately suspected from practising medicine at the time of the tribunal earlier this year, and his name removed from the Medical Register.

The tribunal, brought by the General Medical Council, concluded that Dr Stan’s conduct fell so far short of the standards of conduct reasonably to be expected of a doctor that it amounted to misconduct.

This week a firm of solicitors that deals with medical negligence cases said it was now investigating potential claims on behalf of more than a dozen clients said to be impacted by what happened, and has urged others who believe they may have a case to come forward via a dedicated helpline.

What the tribunal found

A report by the Medical Practitioners Tribunal Service, states that the tribunal heard one patient, who Dr Stan had inappropriately catheterised, went on to experience an infection in his penis as a result of the catheterisation.

A different patient had been so concerned about the inappropriate examinations and treatment that he wanted to discharge himself early form hospital, and had to be persuaded to stay for further intravenous antibiotics.

The tribunal determined and found proved that on multiple occasions during 2019 and 2020, Dr Stan inappropriately administered pain relief (PR) Voltarol, and failed to obtain informed consent, offer patients a chaperone or provide alternative options to pain relief analgesia.

It also found that on one or more occasion he inappropriately prescribed and administered pain relief laxatives when it was not clinically indicated, while failing to obtain informed consent, offer a chaperone or provide alternative options.

Some of the patients involved were minors.

'Sexually motivated'

The tribunal, held in January and February this year, ruled that these actions were sexually motivated, in the pursuit of sexual gratification.

The tribunal concluded that there was “clear evidence that Dr Stan had a preference for both prescribing PR Voltarol and administering PR drugs in general to younger male patients.”

It went on to add: “That is not to say that the Tribunal found that all such prescriptions and administration were sexually motivated as alleged by the GMC. On a case-by-case basis, the Tribunal did not find evidence to conclude that most of Dr Stan’s prescriptions for PR Voltarol were inappropriate.

“That said, the Tribunal has found that Dr Stan had, on many occasions, inappropriately administered PR medication or in one instance performed a PR examination or catheterised a patient without any clinical justification.

“In these in instances, on the balance of probabilities, the Tribunal determined that, where there were adequate clinical notes for patients, Dr Stan’s actions were sexually motivated in pursuit of sexual gratification.”

It went on to find that he had subjected patients to “unnecessary, invasive and intimate procedures for his own sexual gratification,” adding that: “In some cases the same patient had been subjected to intimate and invasive procedures by Dr Stan on multiple occasions.”

The tribunal noted that Dr Stan had “completely disengaged from any dealings” with the General Medical Council (GMC) and Medical Practitioners Tribunal Service about the proceedings before, or participated in them once they had begun.

It went on to note: “The tribunal [has] not seen any evidence that Dr Stan had any appreciation for the gravity of his conduct or understanding of the impact it must have had on patients.

“Nor [has] it seen any acknowledgement of fault or expressions of remorse.”

Background

Dr Stan qualified in Romania in 2007 and, prior to the events in the hearing, had worked in the UK for two years as a senior house officer before returning to Romania to complete his training in general trauma orthopaedics.

Dr Stan returned to the UK in 2015 and accepted a role as a locum senior house officer in trauma and orthopaedics for the Royal Cornwall Hospitals NHS Trust - the role he was undertaking at the time of the events.

Initial concerns were raised with the GMC on March 12, 2021 by the medical director of the Royal Cornwall Hospital.

This followed a local investigation conducted by the hospitals trust, which arose from concerns raised after Dr Stan gave rectal Voltarol to a child shortly after the child had been given oral medication. In addition, the child’s father was concerned about the length of time it had taken to give the suppository.

Further concerns were raised as Dr Stan had again prescribed, and administered personally, rectal medication to children.

Legal action

Thompsons Solicitors is now calling for anyone who believes they were treated by Dr Stan and may have a claim against the hospital to come forward. The firm has set up a dedicated for those wanting to reach out for legal advice 0808 2522781.

The Royal Cornwall Hospitals Trust said it was unable to comment on specific details as a result of ongoing enquiries, but confirmed it had written to a number of former patients of Dr Stan.

A spokesperson said: “We are working with safeguarding services and the police, and patients have been given contact points from where we can tailor support to their individual needs."