IULIU STAN'S SHOCKING ABUSE AT CORNWALL'S TRELISE HOSPITAL IN TRURO

The Royal Cornwall Hospitals Trust (RCHT), which oversees Cornwall's largest medical facility at Treliske in Truro, has publicly acknowledged full responsibility for the misconduct of a former doctor, Iuliu Stan, who exploited his position to target vulnerable patients, including minors, with unnecessary and invasive examinations. This admission comes after a series of disturbing revelations about the actions of the Romanian-born doctor, who was employed at the hospital from October 2015 until September 2020.

During his tenure at Treliske, Dr. Stan subjected numerous patients to unwarranted anal examinations, often without their consent, and inserted medications into their rectums. These actions have been described as predatory, with allegations indicating that some of his victims were children. The severity of his misconduct prompted a formal referral to the General Medical Council, leading to an investigation and subsequent disciplinary proceedings.

In February of the previous year, an independent medical tribunal concluded that Dr. Stan had preyed upon as many as 40 male patients over a five-year period. The tribunal's findings also revealed that an undisclosed number of these victims were minors, raising serious concerns about the safeguarding protocols at the hospital during that period.

Following these revelations, the NHS trust responsible for the hospital issued a letter to all legal representatives of the victims, admitting full liability for Dr. Stan’s actions and offering a sincere apology. This move has been hailed as a significant step toward justice by legal professionals involved in the case. Coodes Solicitors, one of the firms representing the victims, expressed their support for the trust’s decision, emphasizing that it marks a crucial milestone in holding the hospital accountable and providing some measure of closure for those affected.

Rachel Pearce, head of personal injury and clinical negligence at Coodes Solicitors, stated that the trust’s letter, sent on January 10, explicitly acknowledged liability and extended an unreserved apology to the victims and their families. The trust has also proposed engaging in an Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) process, involving its legal team and the solicitors representing the victims, to facilitate the resolution of claims related to Dr. Stan’s misconduct.

Matthew Jones, a senior solicitor with Thompsons’ medical negligence team, highlighted the importance of safeguarding trust within the medical profession. He noted that many patients have been profoundly affected by Dr. Stan’s actions and emphasized the need for their voices to be heard and for them to receive appropriate support. The scope of Dr. Stan’s misconduct remains a matter of concern, with fears that additional victims may still be identified as investigations continue.

Questions persist regarding how Dr. Stan was able to operate with apparent impunity for so long, what lessons have been learned from this case, and what measures have been implemented to prevent similar incidents in the future. The trust has refused to conduct a full independent investigation into the matter, despite calls from legal representatives and advocacy groups for transparency and accountability.

In response, a spokesperson for RCHT expressed remorse, stating, “We have written to affected individuals to admit liability for the actions of Dr. Stan and to offer an unreserved apology to victims. We are deeply sorry for the distress caused by his serious professional misconduct and his abuse of the trust placed in him by patients.” The hospital’s leadership has acknowledged the gravity of the situation and the need for ongoing efforts to restore public confidence in its safeguarding procedures.