Radiographer struck off for misconduct
A senior II radiographer has been struck off by the HPC for misconduct and lack of competence following a year’s suspension order.
Josphat Mwilaria was employed by the Royal Orthopaedic NHS Trust in Birmingham when, in January 2006, allegations were made to the HPC regarding his fitness to practice.
Five witnesses employed at the trust alongside Josphat presented evidence to the HPC conduct and competence committee of incidents that had arisen during this time. These were:
- Whilst imaging a patient’s ankle he unnecessarily subjected the patient to considerable radiation exposure (estimated to be as high as 85 times the normal exposure).
- Following an incident he was unable to explain and demonstrate an understanding of x-ray protocols for pregnant women and the use of lead protection for gonads.
- By not properly scrutinising a request for a lumbar spine x-ray he caused an additional avoidable x-ray to be performed.
- On a number of occasions he failed to use and incorrectly used physical orientation markers on images.
- He demonstrated a lack of competence in theatre imaging and his ability to handle the mobile image intensifier and positioning during examinations.
The HPC panel found that all five incidents breached the HPC’s standards of conduct, performance and ethics and issued the suspension.
The review hearing took place on 11 January 2007 but Mr Mwilaria failed to attend and was not represented. On the decision to strike him from the HPC register, Kelly Johnson, director of fitness to practice at the HPC, commented: “Under the circumstances this was the only appropriate course of action. Mr Mwilaria clearly breached Standard 14 of the Council’s Standards of Conduct, Performance and Ethics – you must behave with integrity and honesty. This meant a potential risk to patients and damage to his profession's reputation."
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