Health and Care Professions Council determination — substantive hearing
HCPTS cautions Sue Vernon-Allen for 12 months
The panel imposed a 12-month caution after finding extensive remediation, a low risk of repetition and no concerns about clinical practice.
MedicWatch editorial · Published 20 May 2026 · Updated 23 September 2026
Warning (formally warned) — 1 year
Data last checked: 23 September 2026Report a correction
What does “formally warned” mean?
A formal warning is a note on the practitioner's record. It does not restrict practice but tells the public that the regulator considered the conduct to have fallen below expected standards.
Concerning Sue Vernon-Allen, practitioner psychologist (Health and Care Professions Council PYL01511).
Decision date: 20 May 2026 · Hearing started 18 May 2026 and ended 20 May 2026
In plain English
The HCPTS panel imposed a 12-month caution on Sue Vernon-Allen after considering a drink-driving conviction, delayed notification to the HCPC and attending work under the influence of alcohol. It found no clinical concerns, extensive remediation and a low risk of repetition, and decided that suspension would be disproportionate.
Charges
The allegation concerned a September 2022 drink-driving conviction, failure to notify the HCPC promptly, and attending work under the influence of alcohol in July 2023. The latter two matters were alleged to constitute misconduct.
Findings
After considering conviction, misconduct and impairment, the panel imposed a 12-month caution order. It found no clinical or competence concerns, extensive remediation and a low risk of repetition, and concluded that conditions or suspension would be disproportionate.
Mitigating and aggravating factors
Mitigating factors
(a) Expressed remorse and apologised; (b) Developed insight; (c) Remediated; (d) A Low risk of repetition of the behaviour; and (e) A good regulatory history.
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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