Trust admits further doctor abuse case liability

More patients are likely to be able to claim compensation from the Royal Cornwall Hospitals NHS Trust (RCHT) after further admissions regarding a doctor who sexually abused patients.

The trust has confirmed that as well as the use of rectal medication, other treatments by Dr Iuliu Stan were negligent including the use of urinary catheters and examinations of genital areas.

A misconduct hearing last year found Dr Stan subjected mainly male patients, including children, to "intimate and invasive procedures" while working as a senior house officer from 2015 to 2020.

One victim said: "The hardest part is feeling so angry about it."

Dr Stan has been struck off the medical register and has returned to his native Romania.

The RCHT admitted liability for those treated with rectal medication in January and offered an unreserved apology to affected patients.

One victim of Dr Stan was seen at the Royal Cornwall Hospital in 2019 after being assaulted on a night out.

He said he knew "something wasn't right" but because "he's a doctor you believe what the doctor says".

"I think the hardest part is just feeling so angry about it, and that it was allowed to happen not just to me but to so many people," he said.

"I think it's such a failing to people when they are at their most vulnerable."

Solicitor Gary Walker, from Enable Law, said his firm was already representing more than 40 clients and more were now likely to come forward.

"It is a very significant admission from the hospital but it does open up further concerns that to date the hospital has only notified patients that received rectal medication from Dr Stan," he said.

"There are potentially hundreds more patients who would have been treated by him - it is really important the hospital now identify everyone who has been affected and notify them in an appropriate and supportive manner."

Another solicitor representing victims, Tom Fletcher from Irwin Mitchell, said he was now being approached by former patients who were treated with urinary catheters or had intimate examinations.

"While the trust's admissions and apology are welcome, nothing can make up for the appalling impact on the patients involved," he said.

"Some were abused with invasive and unnecessary procedures on multiple occasions."

One victim, who does not wish to be named and is now in his 20s, has spoken of how Dr Stan gave him rectal medication as well as testicular and prostate examinations in 2018.

He said: "Dr Stan broke the trust of not just me but lots of other patients who went to the hospital to be treated for any illness, he used his power to perform unnecessary exams and got pleasure from doing so.

"I always felt uncomfortable about my encounter with Dr Stan since leaving the hospital that night...vit has impacted me to a point where I struggle to trust other health care professionals."

A spokesperson for the Royal Cornwall Hospitals NHS Trust said: "We take our responsibilities to the former patients of Dr Stan very seriously and can confirm we have extended the admissions previously made in terms of the abuse by this clinician.

"We continue to work closely with the police regarding their independent investigations into his practices and the identification of victims.

"We apologise to those who have been affected and do not underestimate how difficult it is for patients to engage with this process given the nature of Dr Stan's abuse.

"We have written to a number of former patients of Dr Stan and are committed to making psychological and counselling support available to his victims, tailored to their individual needs.

"We continue to encourage anyone affected to contact us if they have queries around the treatment they received from Dr Stan or need support."

The BBC has approached Devon and Cornwall Police for comment.

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