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Health and Care Professions Council determination — voluntary removal

HCPTS panel approves Ann McLaughlin's voluntary removal

The occupational therapist admitted competence concerns over delayed communication, actions and assessments and agreed to leave the register.

MedicWatch editorial · Published 8 May 2025 · Updated 23 September 2026

Voluntary erasure accepted (voluntary removal from the register)

Data last checked: 23 September 2026Report a correction

What does “voluntary removal from the register” mean?

The practitioner asked to be removed from the register and the regulator accepted the request. This may happen during or after a fitness-to-practise case.

Concerning Ann McLaughlin, occupational therapist (Health and Care Professions Council OT10973).

Decision date: 8 May 2025 · Hearing started 8 May 2025

In plain English

The HCPTS panel approved occupational therapist Ann McLaughlin's voluntary removal after she admitted concerns about delayed communication, actions and record-keeping and accepted that her fitness to practise was impaired by lack of competence. She had retired and did not intend to practise again. The panel found removal would protect the public and had the same effect as striking off.

Charges

Ms McLaughlin was alleged to have failed over a prolonged period to communicate and provide timely updates to service users, take agreed actions after identifying needs and risks, order equipment or make referrals, and complete adequate and timely assessments. The matters were alleged to amount to misconduct and/or lack of competence.

Findings

Ms McLaughlin admitted the substance of the allegation and that her fitness to practise was impaired by lack of competence. The panel found that voluntary removal would protect the public as effectively as striking off, reflected her retirement and stated intention not to return to practice, and adequately maintained public confidence without a substantive hearing.

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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