Private orthopaedic clinic fined for registration breaches

Ahmed Shair, an orthopaedic surgeon and sole director of the company that owns the Orthopaedic and Spine Specialty Clinic in Peterborough, was also fined on the basis that he consented to or knew about the breaches of the conditions, or that they were attributable to his neglect.

Mr Shair and the Orthopaedics and Spine Specialty Clinic were found guilty of breaching two registration conditions: that the hospital must have an inpatient physiotherapy service provided by a suitably qualified, skilled and experienced physiotherapist for all patients who require post-operative physiotherapy; and that no patients under 18 should be admitted or consulted in the outpatient department.

Magistrates fined the company£5,000 under the Care Standards Act 2000 and ordered it to pay£10,000 towards the Healthcare Commission's costs. They sentenced Mr Shair to a conditional discharge of 18 months and ordered him pay£5,000 towards the costs.

In a statement Mr Shair said he fully accepted the verdict. "Lessons have been learned and it is time to focus again on delivering the high standard of care our patients are so accustomed to receiving."