Suspended dentist ordered to repay £175K grant
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- Published: Wednesday, 08 April 2015 07:51
- Written by News Editor
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Andre Basson was last month was given a six-month suspension and ordered to repay an NHS grant. He failed to wash his hands between patients and occasionally failed to wear gloves at his Inverness practice. In 2009, he was awarded £175,000 by the NHS to help him set up his practice as part of a scheme to address the shortage of dentists in the Highlands.
The committee found proven a charge that Mr Basson did not wash his hands when required, and heard evidence from a nurse that his failure to wash his hands was a daily occurrence. Two nurses said they had never seen him use an alcohol hand rub between patients. It was also accepted that Mr Basson had not worn gloves on two or three occasions when using instruments in a patient’s mouth, and had wiped and re-used them without adequate decontamination. A further charge, that he did not wear proper clinical clothing, was also proved.
The report stated: “The committee heard consistent and clear evidence that you did not wash your hands before seeing patients at the start of the day or as necessary between patients. In particular we heard evidence from Dental Nurse B who recounted an occasion when you had returned to treat a patient after taking a telephone call, and that you had put the same pair of gloves back on to your hands without washing your hands.”
The report said: “The committee heard from Dental Nurse D, who in the committee’s view provided clear evidence of you recycling an acrylic bur on one specific occasion without adequate decontamination. She stated that you removed the bur from the ‘dirty box’, that you then wiped the bur with an alcohol wipe, and that you then put the bur back into storage. “
On more or more occasions, Mr Basson was also found to have not worn proper clothing in clinical areas, with witnesses stating he had worn outdoor items including a hooded fleece top whilst treating patients. He admitted failing to ensure dental nurses were properly immunised from infection and failing to provide proper induction training.
In conclusion the report said: “The committee considers that you wilfully disregarded the safety of your staff and patients. The committee is in no doubt that both fellow professionals and informed members of the public alike would regard your conduct as deplorable. Accordingly, the committee is satisfied that the findings against you are serious and that they amount to misconduct.”
A spokesman for NHS Highland said: “Mr Basson received a Scottish Dental Access Initiative (SDAI)grant of £175,000 to assist with setting up The Keep dental practice.?“As he has breached the conditions of his grant, he will be required to repay grant monies and this process has been started.”
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