Tech loses credentials after allegedly ‘manhandling’ patients during exams

A radiographer at a breast imaging center in England has been struck off the professional register after numerous patients accused her of “manhandling” them during their exams. 

A misconduct tribunal found that the technologist's treatment of patients during mammograms fell seriously below expected professional standards. The complaints were directed at her while she was conducting mammograms for the Nottingham Breast Institute, part of larger University Hospitals NHS Trust.  

After receiving multiple reports about her conduct toward patients, the Health and Care Professions Tribunal Service held a misconduct hearing. According to the group’s investigation, multiple patients described experiencing significant pain and distress during exams conducted by the tech. In one case, a patient said the technologist grabbed and pulled her breast aggressively with her fingers, causing pain. A colleague who witnessed the incident corroborated the patient’s claim and told officials that the observed marks on her breast suggested the scan had been handled improperly. 

Another patient reported cuts, friction burns and pain after the staffer allegedly failed to release the pressure of the mammography compression plates. The patient also said the radiographer was “pushing and prodding” her and speaking in a hostile tone. A third patient said her breasts were compressed on three occasions without an image ever being taken. The final compression allegedly caused shooting pain down the left side of her neck, purportedly leaving the patient in tears. 

Others reported similar experiences, including excessive pressure, dismissive communication and a lack of empathy. One woman even went as far as saying that she felt “like a piece of meat” during an already uncomfortable scan.  

The tribunal concluded that this conduct fell substantially below the standards expected of a registered radiographer, determining that patients had, in fact, experienced both physical and emotional harm. Published reports suggest the technologist did not attend the regulatory proceedings, with panelists concluding she was either unable or unwilling to resolve the identified failings.