A RADIOGRAPHER who did a 'belly flop' on a pregnant woman's stomach has been struck off after a health watchdog found him incompetent.

The Health and Care Professions Tribunal Service (HCPTS) had prevented Mr Senu Sejoro from practising following an incident at a woman's 20-week scan at Burnley General Hospital when he used her stomach to regain his balance.

Nigerian-born Mr Sejoro, who also worked at Royal Blackburn Hospital as part of a six-month probationary stint in 2015, had been warned by the HCPTS that he would be struck off if he did not engage with their disciplinary process.

Six professional conduct charges were found proved against the medic, who had already been dismissed by East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust.

After failing to attend the latest review hearing, as well as others in March 2017, February 2018 and March 2019, the disciplinary panel imposed a striking off order.

The panel had earlier been told that Mr Sejoro had been employed as a Band 7 Sonographer by the East Lancs Trust from April 1, 2015 but that was subject to a six month probationary period.

Mr Sejoro underwent an induction and his first probationary review was held on June 3, 2015 when areas of concern were identified in relation to his skills and practice. His work rate was slow, which meant that he was performing three scans per session whilst his colleagues completed 10 or 12 per session.

He was provided with an action plan with specific tasks for improvement, and it was agreed that there would be additional training sessions provided by staff on the ultrasound systems used in the hospital.

On June 10, 2015 he was placed on a formal performance management plan because his performance had not improved to a satisfactory level. There was a further meeting on June 12, 2015 when the registrant was informed that he would be called to a formal hearing regarding his performance.

The hearing was told the incident at Burnley General was witnessed by his line manager, Julie White, who was watching a clinic via Skype, after concerns had been expressed regarding his competency.

Later she said: “It was a complete surprise, I have never seen anything like that before.”

Another mother-to-be, who was seen by Mr Sejoro at the Royal Blackburn, said she was left upset after the sonographer made ‘umming’ and ‘aahing’ noises during her scan. She left the consultation fearing something was wrong with her baby.

The HCPTS panel also heard he had also made mistakes in checking a foetus, involving a third patient.

His employment was terminated on July 28, 2015 and the Trust reported him to the HCPTS.

Mr Sejoro had expressed remorse for his level of performance, as part of the investigation, and indicated he wanted to improve.

A HCPTS spokesman said: "The panel conducted a comprehensive review of the registrant’s fitness to return to unrestricted practice. It exercised its own independent judgement with regard to current impairment.

"There was no evidence before the panel that there had been any change in the level of the registrant’s insight. Prior to the substantive hearing the registrant had expressed remorse and demonstrated some insight. however, his reflections did not adequately explain what steps he had taken to ensure that there would be no repetition of the incidents found proved, and there was no evidence about how the reflections have been incorporated into his practice to ensure he is a safe and competent radiographer or sonographer.

"There was no evidence before the Panel that the Registrant has taken remedial action to address the failings identified by the substantive hearing panel. In the circumstances, the panel concluded that there is currently a real risk of repetition of the registrant’s lack of competence. This ongoing risk of repetition engages the public component because there is a risk of harm to members of the public. A finding of impairment is also required to maintain public confidence in the profession and to uphold the required standards for radiographers.

"The panel therefore decided that the Registrant’s fitness to practise remains impaired on the basis of the personal component and the public component."