A DIETICIAN who offered custard to a patient with an egg allergy has been stripped of her rights to practise.

A report into the conduct of Suzann Connah, who was employed by the East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust, also revealed that she had offered the same patient scrambled eggs on toast despite having previously discussed the woman’s allergies with other members of her team.

At a voluntary removal agreement hearing chaired by the Health and Care Professions Tribunal Service, Ms Connah was stripped of her rights to practise after a long list of failings were discussed by the panel.

However it was heard that the dietician had no desire to continue working in the field after she was dismissed in 2017, pleading for her name to be removed from the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) register.

A report produced after the hearing read: “In 2016, performance concerns in respect of the registrant were raised by staff at the trust and complaints were also received from patients.

“In August 2016, before these concerns could be investigated, the registrant went on leave. She returned to work in January 2017. However, despite having her banding reduced and moving to a different team within the department and having a phased return to work, she was unable to manage her caseload independently. A formal performance management process was commenced in April 2017.

“Upon the registrant’s return, a capability hearing was convened and she was dismissed from her role.

Tracey Hugill, Head of Dietetics and Orthotics for the Trust, subsequently submitted a fitness to practise concern to the HCPC.”

The hearing also heard Ms Connah had not conducted telephone assessments properly, failed to carry-out home visits when required, incorrectly calculated feeding requirements and on more than one occasion inappropriately recommended food a patient was allergic to.

However the panel did hear that Ms Connah had no further intentions to work as a dietician since she had been dismissed, urging the HCPC to take her off their register.

In correspondence from 2018 published by the service, Ms Connah said: “Can you please tell me why I have been registered with the HCPC when I did not complete the form to re-register and I have not paid any subscriptions and cancelled my direct debit for subscriptions in May 2018.

“I have not practised as a dietitian since leaving the NHS and do not wish to do so ... I have worked as a care worker since leaving the NHS.”

However an order is in place which precludes a registrant from removing themselves from the register, or for their registration to lapse whilst they are the subject of a fitness to practise investigation.

It is, however, possible for a registrant to apply for voluntary removal, on agreement with the HCPC.

Ms Connah was then sent an email on May 22 2019 explaining the process of removal and detailing the fact she would have to admit the allegations against her.

A reply by Miss Connah to the HCPC included: “ I will agree to all of the attached allegations if it means that I will be taken off the register and there will be an end to this continuous harassment.

“I did not want to register as I had no intention of practising as a dietitian.”