A FORMER South Western Ambulance Service paramedic has been suspended from the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) for 12 months on the grounds of misconduct.

A panel of the HCPC Conduct and Competence Committee heard on February 20 that Christopher Turner was responsible for not carrying out an adequate assessment of a child who was under two years old, identified only as Service User A.

The child was admitted to hospital the night following his assessment and was treated for several days.

The panel further heard that Mr Turner did not submit a patient care record for the child and was responsible for not submitting or completing 14 other patient care records.

Panel chairman Deborah Fowler said: “The panel considered that Mr Turner has shown only limited insight in relation to his actions and as to the potential consequences of his failings.

“He has not been explicit as to how his assessment of Service User A was deficient. Nor has he reflected on the impact on the child, the family, or on the potential wider implications of his failings.”

Mr Turner was not present or represented at the hearing.

No details were given at the hearing of when the incident took place, or wherabouts it happened in the SW Ambulance area.

SW Ambulance said they could not comment on the hearing or its outcome.