Thompsons Solicitors is acting on behalf of more than a dozen patients
- A tribunal found that Iuliu Stan’s practice of administering rectal pain relief and laxatives was sexually motivated.
- Thompsons Solicitors is acting on behalf of more than a dozen patients
- The Police have now launched a criminal investigation into his actions
Thompsons Solicitors is now representing more than a dozen former patients of a Truro doctor who has been erased from the UK medical register after a Medical Practitioners Tribunal found that his practice of administering rectal pain relief and laxatives was sexually motivated.
The increase in the number of clients taking legal action comes after Royal Cornwall Hospitals NHS Trust issued a letter to patients who had been administered rectal medication by Dr Iuliu Stan whilst receiving treatment at Royal Cornwall Hospital.
It is understood that to date, around 200 patients have received the letter, which offers an apology from the trust for Stan’s ‘professional misconduct’ and his ‘completely unacceptable abuse’ of trust.
Those affected have been urged to contact the Patient Experience Team to discuss any concerns they have about their care with a clinician. The trust also confirmed that it is working with the police, who have opened a criminal investigation into the matter.
Stan was employed by the Royal Cornwall Hospitals NHS Trust between October 2015 and September 2020, working in the trauma and orthopaedics team at Royal Cornwall Hospital.
One of the patients bringing legal action through Thompsons Solicitors, who wishes to remain anonymous, says that Dr Stan treated them after they were involved in a road traffic crash.
The patient alleges that Dr Stan failed to obtain consent to administer the painkiller Volteral via PR (per rectus), and that he failed to arrange a chaperone.
Matthew Jones, a leading lawyer at Thompsons Solicitors, which has offices in Bristol and Plymouth, said: "The breadth and severity of the alleged misconduct by Stan are deeply troubling.
“Based on the evidence and the patterns of behaviour outlined in the tribunal’s report, we believe there may be hundreds of alleged victims who suffered under his care.
“The patients that have been impacted deserve answers, and we are pleased that the police have now launched a criminal investigation into the matter.”
Matthew Jones from Thompsons Solicitors’ medical negligence team said the firm was now investigating claims on behalf of more than a dozen clients significantly impacted by what happened.
Whilst Dr Stan was sacked in March 2021, it is thought that many potential victims were not informed about the concerns relating to his conduct until they received the letter from the trust over the last few weeks.
The letter follows the tribunal’s findings which indicated that Stan had repeatedly failed to obtain informed consent for procedures, did not offer a chaperone during intimate examinations, and chose not to provide alternative treatment options to his patients.
Furthermore, Stan's actions were found by the tribunal to be not only a gross violation of medical standards but also carried out with a sexual motive, exploiting the trust and vulnerability of his patients.
Thompsons Solicitors is now calling for anyone who believes they were a victim of Dr Stan to come forward. The firm has set up a dedicated phone line for those wanting to reach out for legal advice 0808 2522781.