Hospital scientist 'was stressed' panel hears

Oct 27 2009 By Emma Heseltine, Surrey Herald

THE panel investigating the competence of a scientist sacked from St Peter's Hospital, has found that the allegations against her were 'not well founded.'

Maxine Sadza faced a fitness to practise hearing at the Health Professions Council last week, after claims she misdiagnosed MRSA, did not correctly teach trainees in her care and had been unable to correctly identify bacteria - affecting the diagnoses of several patients.

The biomedical scientist was sacked in April after an internal investigation by the hospital trust, but at the hearing, it was decided the allegations could not be stood up.

A spokesman for the council said: "From when she started at the trust until February 2006, Mrs Sadza worked without criticisms being made of her practise. However, beginning in February 2006, a number of criticisms were made, and these are reflected in the allegation.

"The panel finds that these errors were basic and fundamental and without further explanation, they would indeed lead to the conclusion that the person committing them lacked basic microbiological knowledge.

"However, the panel has received a large body of supportive evidence of Mrs Sadza's knowledge and competence presented by previous and present employers.

"This clearly demonstrates that Mrs Sadza both has now and had at the time, the knowledge to undertake activities reflected in the allegation. The explanation why she did not apply her knowledge is that she was stressed as a result of a combination of factors."

The panel found that there had been a lack of competence in Mrs Sadza's work, but not that her current fitness to practise was impaired as a result.

The spokesman added: "The panel is satisfied that Mrs Sadza is a person who has learned from the experiences at St Peter's Hospital and would not allow a similar situation to arise in the future."

Mrs Sadza can now continue to be employed as a biomedical scientist, although she no longer works at St Peter's.

A spokeswoman from the hospital added: "Maxine was dismissed from the Trust on April 1 2008, following an investigation and hearing with regard to her capability.

"In the interests of employee confidentiality we are unable to discuss any further details of this case."