Health and Care Professions Council determination — review hearing
HCPTS panel extends William Smethurst's suspension
The radiographer received a further 12-month suspension after providing no evidence of insight or remediation.
MedicWatch editorial · Published 28 March 2025 · Updated 23 September 2026
Suspension (suspended from practice) — 1 year
Data last checked: 23 September 2026Report a correction
What does “suspended from practice” mean?
The regulator imposed a fixed-term suspension in this decision. Its start date, appeal provisions and any later review affect whether it is currently in force. Check the official register for the practitioner's current status.
Concerning William Smethurst, radiographer (Health and Care Professions Council RA64547).
Decision date: 28 March 2025 · Hearing started 28 March 2025
In plain English
The HCPTS panel reviewed radiographer William Smethurst's suspension for taking explicit photographs in hospital clinical areas and then dishonestly denying it. He supplied no evidence of insight, remediation or maintained professional skills, so the risk and public-interest concerns remained. The panel extended his suspension for 12 months.
Charges
The original case concerned sexually explicit photographs Mr Smethurst took of himself while on duty, in uniform and in hospital clinical areas, followed by a dishonest denial during his employer's investigation.
Findings
The reviewing panel received no new evidence of insight, remediation or current circumstances and found no reduction in risk. It concluded that personal and public impairment continued. Because the serious misconduct remained remediable with meaningful engagement, it extended the suspension for 12 months rather than striking him off.
Mitigating and aggravating factors
Mitigating factors
The Registrant indicated underlying health issues which appeared to have made it more difficult for him to engage with the process; there were no clinical or competency concerns.
Aggravating factors
Continuing lack of evidence of insight and remorse; lack of apology and acknowledgement of impact on the reputation of the profession; no evidence of any continuing professional development to maintain skills and knowledge.
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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