Health and Care Professions Council determination — review hearing
HCPTS panel extends James Hughes's suspension
The paramedic received a further six-month suspension after failing to evidence insight, remediation and maintained skills.
MedicWatch editorial · Published 15 October 2024 · Updated 23 September 2026
Suspension (suspended from practice) — 6 months
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 James J Hughes, paramedic (Health and Care Professions Council PA22651).
Decision date: 15 October 2024 · Hearing started 15 October 2024
In plain English
The HCPTS panel reviewed paramedic James Hughes's suspension for dishonesty, non-disclosure and working while unregistered. Although he attended, he again supplied none of the requested documentary evidence and showed limited insight into the impact of his conduct. The panel extended his suspension for six months and warned that striking off might follow without evidence of remediation.
Charges
The original case concerned working as a paramedic while unregistered, failing to tell his employer, failing to disclose a drink-driving conviction and regulatory discipline on readmission forms, and dishonest conduct toward his employer and regulator.
Findings
The reviewing panel found limited insight and remediation, no requested documentary evidence, and no satisfactory explanation of how repetition would be prevented or professional skills maintained. It found continuing impairment on personal and public grounds. A further six-month suspension gave a final opportunity to evidence remediation before possible striking off.
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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