Legal Experts Fear Others Targeted By Disgraced Locum May Not Have Reported Abuse

Lawyers supporting male patients who were abused by a disgraced doctor have urged others to come forward after a NHS Trust admitted liability.

Royal Cornwall Hospitals Trust has admitted liability and apologised after Dr Iuliu Stan was found by a tribunal to have subjected male patients to unnecessary treatment for his own sexual gratification. Dr Stan was struck off in February 2024.

Lawyers representing several of Dr Stan's survivors

Expert medical negligence lawyers at Irwin Mitchell are representing several of Dr Stan’s survivors. Thery have now joined with clients in urging others in need of support to come forward and receive the help and care they’re entitled to.

Dr Stan, who worked for the Royal Cornwall Hospital NHS Trust between 2015 and 2020 is believed to have treated more than 270 patients.

The Medical Practitioners Tribunal Service (MPTS) tribunal found the former locum senior house officer in trauma and orthopaedics had subjected men and boys in his care to unnecessary rectal medication. There are also allegations of unnecessary catheterisation, unnecessary examinations of genitalia, and unnecessary rectal examinations.

Royal Cornwall Hospitals NHS Trust admitted it was liable for some of the acts of Dr Stan. It admitted his prescription and administration of rectal medication was negligent. The Trust have also said they will approach the litigation on the basis that there was sexual motivation behind such treatment.

Tom Fletcher is the specialist medical negligence lawyer at Irwin Mitchell representing several patients.

Expert Opinion

“Dr Stan’s actions represent an enormous breach of trust by a doctor who used his position to abuse male patients in his care at a time when they were at their most vulnerable and in need of treatment.

“While the Trust’s admissions and apology and are welcome, nothing can make up for the appalling impact on the patients involved. Some were abused with invasive and unnecessary procedures on multiple occasions.

“The accounts of our clients are truly harrowing. We’re committed to supporting them in their recovery.

“Given the nature of these cases, it’s understandable that some of those affected may have concerns coming forward. It’s important we reassure patients that they don’t have to navigate this ordeal alone. They will receive the privacy, understanding and the specialist support they deserve.

“Despite the admissions, there may well be further information contained in undisclosed internal investigations and it’s vital we get to the full truth of what occurred during Stan’s time at the Royal Cornwall Hospitals Trust.” Tom Fletcher

Dr Stan’s actions were uncovered by the Trust in 2020 when a patient’s dad became concerned over the length of time the doctor was taking while providing painkilling rectal medication.

In a letter to Irwin Mitchell, Royal Cornwall Hospital said it had “written to affected individuals to admit liability for the actions of Dr Stan and to offer an unreserved apology to victims.”

The letter added that the Trust was deeply sorry for the distress caused by Dr Stan’s “serious professional misconduct and his abuse of trust.”

Patients targeted by Dr Iuliu Stan Reveal Impact Of Abuse

A former patient of Dr Stan who is being supported by Irwin Mitchell, a man in his 20’s said: “I feel let down by the Hospital Trust as it has duty of care for its patients. This abuse of power happened not just to me but many others in a place where we should feel safe.

“Finding out this information has been extremely difficult to process and has left me feeling violated and disgusted at what I experienced. I’m not sure I’ll ever get over this or be able to trust a doctor again.

“I would say to anyone else who experienced wrong-doing in this case, don’t be afraid to speak up. There are people to help and support you, which makes navigating this hard process easier to bear.”

Another former patient of Dr Stan being supported by Irwin Mitchell is a man in his 30s who attended Treliske Hospital in 2019.

The man said: “This situation has had a profound effect on me and has altered the course of my life. It has undermined my trust in healthcare professionals, and I have struggled with consistent employment.

“It has caused me to question my own worth after being betrayed by someone in a position of trust like that, who was meant to have a duty of care towards me.

“I hope that by coming forward and shining light on what happened, more men will feel able to come forward and stand up for themselves. We all deserve some closure to be able to attempt to move on with our lives as best we can.”

Find out more about Irwin Mitchell's expertise in supporting patients and families affected by cases of hospital abuse at our dedicated abuse and criminal injuries section. Alternatively, to speak to an expert contact us or call 0370 1500 100.