In a deeply troubling case, the Royal Cornwall Hospitals NHS Trust has admitted liability for the actions of Dr. Iuliu Stan, a former locum senior house officer who was found to have sexually abused multiple patients under the guise of medical treatment. The trust has issued an unreserved apology to the victims and acknowledged the immense distress caused by Dr. Stan’s egregious professional misconduct and breach of patient trust.
Doctor Performed Unnecessary Intimate Procedures for Sexual Gratification
According to the findings of a misconduct hearing held last year, Dr. Stan subjected numerous patients, including men and boys, to invasive and intimate procedures that were medically unnecessary. He inappropriately prescribed and administered rectal medication without properly obtaining informed consent, offering a chaperone, or providing alternative treatment options.
The tribunal determined that Dr. Stan’s behavior was “sexually motivated in relation to multiple patients“. In some disturbing instances, the same patient was subjected to these unwarranted intimate procedures on multiple occasions by Dr. Stan for his own sexual gratification.
Trust Admits Liability and Apologizes to Victims
In a statement, the Royal Cornwall Hospital expressed deep regret and apologized unequivocally to the patients harmed by Dr. Stan’s actions:
“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.”
– Royal Cornwall Hospitals NHS Trust
The trust pledged to do everything possible to expedite investigations and claims made by the victims while following due legal process. Their goal is to bring a swift resolution for those impacted by Dr. Stan’s unethical behavior.
Doctor’s License Revoked After Tribunal Findings
As a result of the tribunal’s conclusions in February 2024, Dr. Stan’s registration as a doctor was immediately suspended and subsequently erased. The report highlighted the severity of his actions:
“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.”
– Tribunal Report
Growing Number of Patients Coming Forward
Thompsons’ Solicitors, the law firm representing many of the affected patients, commended the trust’s apology and admission of negligence. They noted that they are seeing a “growing number” of patients coming forward in this disturbing case.
Matthew Jones from the firm’s medical negligence team emphasized the importance of the trust’s acknowledgement in helping victims find closure and holding those responsible accountable. He expressed concern about the breadth and severity of Dr. Stan’s misconduct, estimating there could be hundreds of victims based on the evidence and patterns of behavior outlined in the tribunal report.
Jones urged anyone who may have been impacted to come forward and seek the support they need during this traumatic time. The firm believes the trust’s admission of liability is a crucial step, but knows it cannot undo the immense harm and distress caused to so many patients who put their trust in Dr. Stan.
Abuse of Trust and Patient Safeguarding Failures
This deeply disturbing case raises critical questions about patient safeguarding, oversight of doctors, and the fundamental trust that patients place in medical professionals. The fact that Dr. Stan was able to perpetrate this abuse against so many vulnerable individuals under the guise of medical care is a horrific failing.
It is crucial that the NHS and medical institutions learn from this appalling case and implement robust measures to prevent anything like it from happening again. Patients deserve to feel safe and have their dignity and bodily autonomy respected when seeking medical treatment.
While the legal process and compensation will be important, it is the human cost of Dr. Stan’s abuse that is most devastating. The psychological trauma and distress inflicted on the victims cannot be overstated. They will need ongoing support, counseling, and compassionate care to cope with the impact of this unforgivable violation of trust.
As this disturbing case continues to unfold, it serves as a grim reminder of the profound responsibility that doctors and medical institutions have to protect patient welfare and maintain the highest ethical standards. Justice must be served, accountability must be upheld, and the voices of the victims must be heard and supported throughout this traumatic ordeal.
