HCPC determination — substantive hearing
Interim restrictions imposed — 18 months
The regulator’s term: interim order imposed
What does “interim restrictions imposed” mean?
An interim order is a precautionary restriction imposed before the regulator's investigation is complete. It is not a finding of fault — the underlying allegations have not yet been adjudicated.
Concerning Michelle A Bignall, paramedic (HCPC PA40597).
Decision date: 13 April 2026 · Hearing started 30 March 2026 and ended 13 April 2026
In plain English
The HCPTS panel decided that Michelle A Bignall should be subject to the published outcome from a final hearing. The panel imposed an interim suspension for 18 months. The public page records the profession, registration number, allegation, finding, order, notes and hearing history for source verification.
Charges
The HCPTS allegation section states: were not required. The Panel gave little weight to Person N’s opinion evidence because she is not an independent expert and at the time of the relevant events she was not a qualified Paramedic. The Panel accepted the evidence of the Registrant that a patient with an initial reported complaint may present differently when physically assessed and that Patient J did so in this case. However, the reported complaint, as relayed to the ambulance crew and recorded in the PRF, should be investigated. The observations carried out should include those set out in the reported complaint unless there is a clear explanation in the PRF as to why the reported complaint was judged as not relevant and not requiring investigation. The possibility of a cardiac problem had been dismissed by the attendant and the Registrant without the baseline observations being carried out. 87. In considering the evidence relating to Patient J, the Panel also took into account the evidence of the attendant, Person N. The Panel accepted her evidence that during her shifts with the Registrant on 3 and 4 April 2020, the Registrant stated that she had decided to do the ‘doorstep challenge’ for patients where COVID-19 was suspected and that minimal observations were taken on the doorstep. She stated that she did not challenge this decision not to take a full set of observations because she felt that the Registrant would not respond well to being challenged. 88. The Panel also took into account its findings on Particulars 1 and 2 and the Registrant’s practice, at that time, of not carrying out full observations because of her fears relating to COVID-19. 89. The Panel was satisfied that the observations of a blood pressure measurement and an ECG were necessary and part of an adequate assessment for Patient J...
Findings
The HCPTS page records a final hearing for Michelle A Bignall by the Conduct and Competence Committee. The panel imposed an interim suspension for 18 months. The allegation section states: were not required. The Panel gave little weight to Person N’s opinion evidence because she is not an independent expert and at the time of the relevant events she was not a qualified Paramedic. The Panel accepted the.... The order section states: comes into effect..
Source
All facts on this page are drawn from the publicly published HCPC determination linked below. MedicWatch does not editorialise the regulator’s findings.
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