Nurse who ran Medical Slimming Clinic in Doncaster and Rotherham struck off after safety failures

Hassen Jeetoo, who was the registered nurse working as the registered manager of Medical Slimming Clinic’s branches in Doncaster and Rotherham, was given a striking-off order at a hearing this week, after a list of failures was highlighted following an investigation, including prescribing drugs against guidelines.

The Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) had received a referral about Mr Jeetoo’s fitness to practise from the Care Quality Commission (CQC) on September 7, 2017.

The NMC disciplinary hearing heard at the time of the referral, Mr Jeetoo was the registered manager for the clinics in Priory Place, Doncaster, and Wellgate, Rotherham, having been in the job since August 2011.

From 2016 to 2017, the CQC carried out four inspections at the Doncaster and Rotherham clinics. From these inspections, the CQC concluded Mr Jeetoo had failed to comply with several of their regulations and as a result, sent him warning notices and requirement notices. But it was alleged Mr Jeetoo failed to meet the notices or provide evidence to the CQC that he had taken steps to address their concerns.

Due to the findings from the inspections at both clinics, on May 8, 2017, the CQC issued a ‘Notice of Decision’ to cancel Mr Jeetoo’s registration, as a registered manager. Mr Jeetoo appealed, remained the registered manager during that time, but later withdrew his appeal, and his registration was cancelled by the CQC.

Mr Jeetoo, aged 79, did not attend the hearing. Allegations found proved included failing to put safety systems in place, failing to carry out appropriate recruitment checks, having no infection control procedures, and having uncalibrated medical equipment. They also found proved that patients had been prescribed appetite suppressants contrary to national guidance on the management of obesity. And they found proved allegations Mr Jeetoo tried to mislead the CQC.

Striking Mr Jeetoo off, the panel said in a statement: “The panel determined that Mr Jeetoo’s actions were significant departures from the standards expected of a registered nurse, involved serious dishonesty and raised fundamental questions about his professionalism. The panel was of the view that the findings in this particular case demonstrate that Mr Jeetoo’s actions were serious and to allow him to continue practising would undermine public confidence in the profession and in the NMC as a regulatory body. The panel has concluded that Mr Jeetoo’s misconduct is incompatible with him remaining on the register.

“Balancing all of these factors and after taking into account all the evidence before it during this case, the panel determined that the appropriate and proportionate sanction is that of a striking-off order. Having regard to the effect of Mr Jeetoo’s actions in bringing the profession into disrepute by adversely affecting the public’s view of how a Registered Nurse and Registered Manager should conduct himself, the panel has concluded that nothing short of a striking-off order would be sufficient in this case.

“The panel considered that this order was also necessary to mark the importance of maintaining public confidence in the profession, and to send to the public and the profession a clear message about the standard of behaviour required of a registered nurse.”