Jason Jordan failed to inform his employers after being convicted
Aintree University Hospital(Image: Liverpool Echo)
A Merseyside physiotherapist who crashed his car into a hotel while drink driving failed to inform health officials of his conviction after “fear got the better of him”. In March 2020, Jason Jordan lost control of his car on the East Lancashire Road and crashed with hotel air conditioning units.
He was subsequently convicted by magistrates later that year and sent on a mandated driving course. However, Jordan failed to inform the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) immediately after being sentenced.
His offences only came to light when attempting to renew his registration online. A Health and Care Professions Tribunal Service (HCPTS) report revealed Jordan tried to claim he thought this would happen automatically but later admitted he concealed his crime “because he was fearful of what it would entail”.
Officials have now sanctioned the physiotherapist who was working at Aintree Hospital at the time of the crash. The report set out how five years ago, in trying to turn off the East Lancs, Jordan lost control of his car and crashed into hotel air conditioning units.
He reported the accident inside the hotel to staff, who noted alcohol on his breath and the police were called. Officers noted a strong smell of alcohol, slurred speech and glazed eyes and requested he take a roadside breath test which subsequently failed.
He pleaded guilty at Liverpool Knowsley and St Helens Magistrates’ Court in October 2020 to driving while over the legal limit and disqualified from driving for 17 months. Jordan also received a £500 fine.
In March 2022, the physiotherapist completed the online renewal of his registration with the HCPC, in which he indicated that there had been a change to his character.
He attached a letter to him from the solicitors’ firm which had represented him, dated October 2020, confirming the details of the criminal conviction and sentence.
Later that year, he confirmed his employers – Liverpool University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust – were unaware of his conviction. Jordan said he did not inform the HCPC of his conviction as he thought that this would happen automatically.
The NHS trust confirmed in January 2023 they had not been made aware of the conviction and an internal investigation would take place. This resulted in Jordan being given a final written warning.
He said it was “some time later” after the crash he realised he should have made enquiries to confirm whether the HCPC knew of his conviction and to declare it. Jordan said that he had a gradual realisation that nothing had happened and he was nervously awaiting an email which did not arrive.
He said that fear got the better of him, so he did not check with the HCPC. This was because he was fearful of what it would entail, and the implications and he did not want to draw attention to himself.
As a result, the HCPTS panel imposed a two year caution order. This does not restrict the ability to practise but will appear on the register for the agreed period of time.