Health and Care Professions Council determination — substantive hearing
HCPTS panel strikes off Edwin Bedford for misconduct
The occupational therapist was struck off for sexual misconduct, boundary breaches and racially motivated behaviour toward colleagues.
MedicWatch editorial · Published 19 February 2025 · Updated 23 September 2026
Erasure (struck off the register)
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What does “struck off the register” mean?
The regulator directed removal from the register in this decision. The decision explains when the direction takes effect and any appeal provisions. Check the official register for the practitioner's current registration status.
Concerning Edwin Bedford, occupational therapist (Health and Care Professions Council OT70735).
Decision date: 19 February 2025 · Hearing started 12 February 2025 and ended 19 February 2025
In plain English
The HCPTS panel found that occupational therapist Edwin Bedford repeatedly breached boundaries with junior female colleagues, including sexually motivated conduct, and made a racially motivated comment while misusing his senior position. With little insight, no remediation and a high risk of repetition, the panel concluded that lesser sanctions could not protect the public and struck him off.
Charges
Mr Bedford faced allegations of repeated unwanted touching and sexualised comments towards junior female colleagues, attempts to intimidate complaints, racist comments, and improper disclosure of recruitment and DBS information while Head of Therapies.
Findings
The panel proved extensive inappropriate conduct, professional-boundary breaches, sexual and sexually motivated behaviour, a racially motivated comment and confidentiality failures. It found misconduct, little meaningful insight, no remediation and a high risk of repetition. It concluded that only striking off could protect colleagues, service users and public confidence.
Mitigating and aggravating factors
Mitigating factors
A limited apology; no evidence of previous regulatory findings; the Registrant reporting that he had some health issues.
Aggravating factors
Repetition of conduct with more than one member of staff; the conduct was focussed on junior colleagues; the Registrant's seniority and breach of trust; the conduct was deliberate and pre-meditated; no evidence of insight into his sexual or racial motivation; a lack of remediation; a potential risk of harm to service users.
Source
All facts on this page are drawn from the publicly published Health and Care Professions Council determination linked below. MedicWatch does not editorialise the regulator’s findings.
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