A North East Ambulance Service paramedic who “falsified entries” in a log-book to cover up that he had not attended a placement as part of a training course has been given a nine-month suspension. Bogdan Volindan, an employee of North East Ambulance Service, was handed the suspension after being found to have committed misconduct.
Dishonest conduct on training course
This related to “persistent and serious dishonest conduct” in relation to a 2023 training course which required a 60 hour placement to be completed – and signed off – by a more experienced paramedic. A Health and Care Professions Tribunal Service hearing in July saw a panel find it was clear that Mr Volindan “had no intention of completing the hours required from the outset”.
The tribunal judgement added: “The Panel noted that the Registrant falsified all entries in the log-book by using fictitious details and disguised handwriting and forged signatures to cover up his dishonesty.”
Panel findings and sanction
The Panel considered that this was a planned and deliberate course of dishonest conduct and persisted despite the Registrant being provided with multiple opportunities to explain that he had been unable to complete the required hours. However, the panel noted that Mr Volindan had apologised and shown remorse – and that the “nature and seriousness” of his dishonesty was, while serious, “not necessarily incompatible” with remaining a registered paramedic.
An earlier panel had imposed an 18 month “conditions of practice” order, but the professional standards body appealed this at the High Court, and as such a ruling was made that the sanction should be re-evaluated. This occurred at the hearing on July 23 and July 24.
Nine-month suspension imposed
The new panel added: “The Panel considered that the misconduct was such that a Suspension Order of 9 months was the appropriate and proportionate sanction. The Panel considered that this period was sufficient to protect the public interest and maintain confidence in the profession and uphold proper professional standards.”
The Panel considered that a temporary removal from the Register for 9 months would reflect the seriousness of the misconduct found proved. The Panel considered that this period would also enable the Registrant to demonstrate to any reviewing panel that he had further developed his insight and remediation.
