Psychologist struck off for inappropriate behaviour

Practitioner psychologist Monir Ahmed has been struck off the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) Register on grounds of misconduct, after engaging in inappropriate and sexually motivated behaviour towards two service users while employed by the Guernsey Health and Social Services Department.

A panel of the HCPC Conduct and Competence Committee heard that in September 2012 service user A made an allegation that Mr Ahmed had acted inappropriately during a number of consultations with her. This included hugging her, kissing her and requesting to meet him outside of sessions. Subsequently, a telephone conversation between a Service Manager and service user C, revealed that Mr Ahmed had acted inappropriately during her therapy sessions.

The Panel further heard that following an investigation into Mr Ahmed’s conduct, behavior and practice, these allegations were referred to a disciplinary hearing, which took place in April 2013. The registrant was dismissed from his position and a subsequent appeal was not upheld.

Panel Chair Jim Cassidy commented: “Monir Ahmed has abused the trust and confidence placed in him as a therapist, in that he took advantage of his status to pursue his personal agenda to interact inappropriately with two female service users.

“His behaviour has caused actual harm to the service users. It is unacceptable for service users to have to endure this kind of unjustified behaviour in order to receive the therapy they require.”

The Panel decided the most necessary and proportionate conclusion was to strike Mr Ahmed off the Register.

Monir Ahmed was present and represented at the hearing.