Rap for blind physiotherapist

A blind physiotherapist mistakenly put his finger inside a patient's vagina instead of her rectum when attempting a medical procedure.

Charles Danby was attempting to perform an internal coccyx manipulation for the first time.

But during the procedure, carried out at Boston Pilgrim Hospital in March 2007, he failed to find her rectum.

The Health Professions Council has now imposed conditions on his right to practise.

A report states: "Mr Danby's behaviour clearly fell short of what would be proper in the circumstances and therefore amounts to misconduct."

The medical procedure can be used to manipulate the tailbone to increase mobility and help with alignment.

Mr Danby, who is registered blind, has now been ordered to undertake at least 20 hours of further post basic training and undergo regular review over the next year.

He is obliged to inform employers or prospective employers of the conditions imposed. He has not worked for the United Lincolnshire Hospitals Trust since the incident.

During its investigation, the HPC found Mr Danby failed to get the patient's written consent before the procedure. He also failed to offer her a chaperone and did not protect her privacy during the procedure because he left her undressed and did not give her anything to cover herself.

Mr Danby qualified as a physiotherapist in June 2003. He started work at Boston Pilgrim Hospital in August that year.

For more about the hearing, see Friday's Lincolnshire Echo