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Health and Care Professions Council determination — review hearing

HCPTS review panel strikes off Karen Dean

A review panel struck off orthoptist Karen Dean after finding no remediation, continuing lack of insight and an ongoing risk of repetition.

MedicWatch editorial · Published 13 November 2024 · Updated 23 September 2026

Erasure (struck off the register)

Data last checked: 23 September 2026Report a correction

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 Karen Dean, orthoptist (Health and Care Professions Council OR03702).

Decision date: 13 November 2024 · Hearing started 13 November 2024

In plain English

At review, the HCPTS panel found that orthoptist Karen M Dean had not remedied the misconduct that led to her suspension and remained impaired. It found continuing risk, lack of insight and unwillingness to resolve the concerns, and replaced the suspension with a striking-off order.

Charges

The allegation concerned possession, use and supply of what was purported to be cocaine at a house party on or around 25 August 2019, conduct alleged to constitute misconduct impairing Karen M Dean's fitness to practise.

Findings

Reviewing a 12-month suspension order, the panel found that Karen M Dean remained impaired on both personal and public grounds. It found no evidence of remediation, a continuing risk of repetition, continued lack of insight, limited engagement and unwillingness to resolve the concerns. It directed that her name be struck off the HCPC Register when the order took effect on 13 December 2024.

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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