RS v Health and Social Care Professional Council (Approved)

                  The appeal has been brought pursuant to s.69 of the Health and Social Care Professionals Act 2005. The applicant gave evidence in the appeal and was cross examined by senior counsel for the respondent. The court was provided with relevant reports and documents which I will summarise presently. The hearing took place in open court.

                  The patient was discharged as an inpatient on the 29 th March 2022. Following discharge, she attended the regular outpatient appointments with the wound care team in the hospital. Her last outpatient appointment was the 29 th August 2022. It was at this appointment that she confided in a nurse that the applicant had been visiting her home. The nurse brought this information to the attention of the social work department at the hospital and an investigation began.

                  The applicant described a trip to the beach and the patient writing their names in the sand. He also admitted a trip to his home, and he stated that they kissed twice during the visit, "the first time initiated by me and the second initiated by her". The applicant attended the investigation meeting on his own. Towards the end of the meeting, the applicant is recorded as querying the nature of the problem about his contact with the patient.

              The applicant's written response goes on to refer to the applicant's diagnosis with autism spectrum disorder. It reads as follows:

"I do not seek to abdicate my responsibility in this matter. I do wish to provide some context. I feel that my lack of insight as to professional boundaries in the post-care period was influenced by my own medical background.