Pharmacist Suspended for Six Months for Conducting an Inappropriate Internal Examination
Date of Decision: September 7, 2023
Registrant's Role: Pharmacist
Allegations:
- While working as a locum Clinical Pharmacist at Hollins Grove Surgery, the pharmacist:
- Conducted an internal vaginal examination on a female patient (Patient A) without clinical justification or appropriate consent.
- Failed to offer a chaperone or inform the patient that she had the right to request a female practitioner.
- Did not adequately explain the procedure before carrying out the examination.
- Failed to record key aspects of the consultation, including the examination itself.
- Admitted that he had no formal training in conducting vaginal examinations and had only learned about them from reading and watching training videos.
- The examination was not sexually motivated but was outside his professional scope and competency.
Outcome: Suspended for six months (no review required)
GPhC Standards Breached:
- Standard 1 – Provide Person-Centred Care
- Standard 4 – Maintain, Develop, and Use Professional Knowledge and Skills
- Standard 6 – Behave in a Professional Manner
- Standard 9 – Demonstrate Leadership
Case Summary
The General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC) Fitness to Practise Committee investigated a pharmacist following a complaint from a female patient (Patient A). The pharmacist, who worked as a locum Clinical Pharmacist, was found to have conducted an internal vaginal examination without proper consent, clinical justification, or appropriate training.
On 16 July 2021, he:
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