Health and Care Professions Council determination — review hearing
HCPTS extends Alexander McDowell's suspension by four months at review
The HCPTS panel found continuing impairment and insufficient reflection on earlier misconduct. The four-month extension begins when the existing suspension expires.
MedicWatch editorial · Published 24 August 2026 · Updated 22 September 2026
Suspension (suspended from practice) — 4 months
Data last checked: 22 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 Alexander McDowell, paramedic (Health and Care Professions Council PA052478).
Decision date: 24 August 2026 · Hearing started 24 August 2026
In plain English
The HCPTS panel extended paramedic Alexander McDowell's suspension by four months following a review. Earlier findings concerned sexually motivated contact with a vulnerable service user. The panel found that training material and a promise of further reflection did not demonstrate adequate insight into his own conduct. It allowed another opportunity to remediate, with a review required before the extended order expires on 27 January 2027.
Charges
The review followed findings of misconduct concerning sexually motivated social-media contact with a vulnerable service user and related professional-boundaries concerns. Some particulars of the original allegations had not been proved. A 12-month suspension had previously been extended by three months.
Findings
The panel found continuing impairment because the registrant had not demonstrated adequate reflection on his own misconduct despite providing training material. It found a continuing risk of repetition and the public component remained engaged. It extended suspension for four months from expiry of the existing order, with another review before 27 January 2027. It warned that a future panel might consider removal if meaningful engagement did not follow.
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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