More patients contacted in doctor abuse case

Iuliu Stan was found by a medical practitioners tribunal in February to have "preyed" on mainly male patients while working at the Royal Cornwall Hospital

A further group of former hospital patients has been informed they received rectal medication from a doctor who has since been struck off the medical register for sexual abuse.

Dr Iuliu Stan was found by a medical practitioners tribunal in February to have "preyed" on mainly male patients for his own sexual gratification during his time at the Royal Cornwall Hospitals NHS Trust (RCHT).

The tribunal heard allegations of misconduct surrounding 37 anonymous patients, but now more people have been told they could potentially have been victims.

Following the tribunal's conclusion, the trust said it recognised the findings have been distressing and it was "deeply sorry" for this.

'Unnecessary procedures'

The hearing found Dr Stan subjected patients, some of them children, to "unnecessary, invasive and intimate procedures for his own sexual gratification".

It concluded his administration of rectal pain relief and laxatives was sexually motivated.

According to the tribunal, he worked as a senior house officer within the trauma and orthopaedics department at RCHT, between 2015 and 2020.

The 37 patients whose cases were highlighted by the tribunal were contacted by the RCHT in January to inform them of the hearing and the events surrounding it.

Now, another set of former patients has received letters from the trust.

Iuliu Iosif Marian Stan has not worked at the RCHT since September 2020

It is not known how many letters have been sent but the misconduct hearing noted he administered pain relief to male patients on 277 occasions, and once to a female patient.

The letter said: "Our records show that Dr Stan administered rectal medication to you during your admission to the Royal Cornwall Hospital.

"We are deeply sorry for the distress caused by this doctor's professional misconduct and his completely unacceptable abuse of the trust you placed in those caring for you at that time".

Rachel Pearce from Coodes Solicitors in Falmouth said a number of people who have received the letter had approached her firm seeking advice.

She said: "Some of them were children at the time of the treatment and they've come of age, now they're adults, so they've been getting the letters direct rather than parents.

"It's quite distressing, no calls from the trust, just letters on the doorstep to say this is what's happened".

'No explanation'

Gary Walker from Enable Law in Truro is another solicitor in Cornwall who is in contact with former patients of Dr Stan.

He said there was no way of knowing how many people have been affected but it could be "in the hundreds".

He said: "I am concerned the trust have chosen to write to patients at the address where they were living when they were in hospital.

"I have spoken to a number of patients who had moved and only fortuitously received their letter. There could well be many letters which have been sent to the wrong address."

Mr Walker added: "There is no explanation as to when these patients were identified, why they were not included in the GMC investigation and why the hospital has chosen to write to them now."

Ms Pearce said patients need to know what support was available.

"I'd really encourage them to come forward, seek professional help, seek support, maybe contact your GP," she said.

"I understand people might want to brush it under the carpet because I appreciate just how upsetting and distressing it is.

"But I really would encourage those people to make contact, and get support and help".

'Safeguarding services'

The RCHT said it was restricted in what it could say due to an ongoing police investigation.

“Due to ongoing inquiries, we are unable to disclose specific details but can confirm we have written to a number of former patients of Dr Stan," it said.

"We are working with safeguarding services and the police, and patients have been given contact points from where we can tailor support to their individual needs.”

Iuliu Iosif Marian Stan had not worked at the RCHT since September 2020 and was dismissed from its employment in March 2021.