Hospital trust offers unreserved apology to victims of doctor’s misconduct

Solicitors representing the victims have welcomed the admission of liability

Author: Megan Price and Claire Hayhurst, PAPublished 14th Jan 2025

Solicitors representing victims of a doctor who gave treatment for his own sexual gratification say they welcome an admission of liability from the Royal Cornwall Hospitals Trust.

A hospital trust has admitted liability and offered an unreserved apology to patients of a doctor found to have abused patients.

Dr Iuliu Stan worked for the Royal Cornwall Hospitals NHS Trust between 2015 and 2020, when an investigation was launched into his use of rectal medication to male patients including children.

Last year, a medical practitioners tribunal found Dr Stan subjected multiple patients to “unnecessary, invasive and intimate procedures” for his own sexual gratification.

In a statement, the Royal Cornwall Hospital said: “We have written to affected individuals to admit liability for the actions of Dr Stan and to offer an unreserved apology to victims.

“We are deeply sorry for the distress caused by his serious professional misconduct and his abuse of the trust placed in him by patients.

“Whilst we must follow due legal process, we will be doing everything we can to bring investigations and claims made by his victims to an early conclusion.”

Dr Stan, who qualified in Romania, worked as a locum senior house officer in trauma and orthopaedics.

The misconduct hearing was told Dr Stan inappropriately prescribed and administered rectal medication, without obtaining informed consent, offering a chaperone or providing alternative options.

It was alleged, and found by the tribunal, that Dr Stan’s behaviour was “sexually motivated in relation to multiple patients”.

The report stated: “He had subjected patients to unnecessary, invasive and intimate procedures for his own sexual gratification.

“In some cases the same patient had been subjected to intimate and invasive procedures by Dr Stan on multiple occasions.”

Dr Stan’s registration as a doctor was immediately suspended and erased following the tribunal, which concluded in February 2024.

Solicitors representing patients affected by Dr Stan’s actions have welcomed the apology and acceptance of liability from Royal Cornwall Hospitals NHS Trust, in a letter sent to them last Friday.

Matthew Jones, from Thompsons’ Solicitors medical negligence team, said the firm was representing a “growing number” of patients.

“We welcome the trust’s apology and its recognition of the considerable distress caused to patients by Dr Stan’s unacceptable behaviour,” he said.

“Whilst it is impossible to undo the harm caused, this acknowledgment and admission of negligence is an important step in helping patients find closure and holding those responsible to account.”

A letter sent to the firm issued an unreserved apology to patients harmed by Dr Stan’s misconduct and admitted his prescription and administration of rectal medical to certain patients was negligent, he added.

It followed correspondence to about 200 patients last summer, the firm said, which apologised for Dr Stan’s professional misconduct and abuse of trust.

Mr Jones said: “The breadth and severity of the alleged misconduct by Dr Stan are deeply troubling.

“Based on the evidence and patterns of behaviour outlined in the tribunal’s report, we believe there may be hundreds of victims who suffered under his care.

“We urge anyone who may have been affected to come forward and seek the support they need.”

Rachel Pearce, head of personal injury and clinical negligence at Coodes Solicitors, also commended the hospital for the letter relating to the “distressing case”.

“This is a critical step forward in ensuring justice and accountability,” she said.

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