Four health professionals suspended and another four removed over three years, regulator finds

Social workers saw the highest number of complaints at 88, Coru said.File Picture: Sasko Lazarov/RollingNews.ie

Four health and social care professionals were suspended, and four were removed from the register over three years, according to the industry regulator Coru.

Gaps in communication and poor record-keeping were among the most common issues that patients complained about between 2022 and 2024.

In that time, there were 151 fitness to practise complaints. Only 30 progressed to a full committee of inquiry.

There are 26 professions within the scope, including social workers, occupational therapists, medical scientists, psychologists, physiotherapists, and dietitians.

Coru reported it has seen “a steady increase year on year” in the number of cases.

The findings are based on an independent analysis of concluded cases during that time.

This shows even though the number of cases rose, this amounted to fewer than two in every 1,000 health staff registered with Coru each year.

There were 39 cases in 2022, then 52 in 2023 and 60 in 2024. Data for last year is not yet complete, but indications are as many as 73.

Coru chief executive and registrar Claire O’ Cleary, said: “This report tells us that complaints are rare, but the reasons behind them are very consistent.

“Communication comes up time and again, even where it doesn’t meet the threshold for formal action. Alongside that, poor record keeping is a recurring issue, particularly in more serious cases.”

She said highlighting the patterns can help support professionals to improve their work. It can also “help reduce the likelihood of issues arising in the first place”.

Reasons for complaints 

Professional conduct came up in 49% of cases and communications in 39% of cases.

Queries about record-keeping were especially seen in cases where the complaint reached formal inquiries.

Social workers saw the highest number of complaints at 88.

However, Coru said the analysis showed “this reflects the size of the profession and the complex, highrisk nature of social work, rather than poorer standards of practice”.

Some 22 cases were with occupational therapists and 17 for physiotherapists.

The other professions recorded fewer than 10 cases each over the three years.

Most of the cases at 121 did not progress to a full committee of inquiry.

The cases which did saw a range of outcomes: “In some cases, professionals agreed steps to address concerns, while others received formal warnings or had restrictions placed on their practice,” Coru said.

“In the most serious cases, four professionals were suspended, and four were removed from the register.”

• Niamh Griffin is Health Correspondent.