Radiographer at children’s hospital pulled down patient’s shorts without permission

A radiographer who pulled down a patient’s shorts at a world-renowned children’s hospital without consulting the patient or his family was removed from the healthcare professional registry.

Melbin Thankachan was working as a radiographer at Alder Hey children’s hospital in Liverpool from 19 July to 31 December 2022 when she resigned after being placed on an unofficial performance plan.

Colleagues had expressed concerns about his behavior and communication skills.

He did not consult a young patient or his parents before pulling down his shorts in September 2022.

In an incident in December of the same year, a patient was seen failing to ask her mother how to remove the nappy, and on one occasion it was alleged that he failed to obtain a patient’s consent before tying her dress.

He also failed to state that the patient should be sent to the orthopedic clinic after the x-ray examination.

He also sent a threatening email in August 2023 to a former colleague who had struggled to communicate with patients during his tenure at Alder Hey and was said to have a poor understanding of English.

Thankachan was not allowed to work alone during his hospital stay and Alder Hey referred him to the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) in March 2023 regarding his fitness to work.

On August 9, 2023, an 18-month suspension decision was issued on the grounds of public protection. This period was extended by the Supreme Court on February 7, 2025 and February 6, 2026.

In April last year Thankachan confirmed he was “interested in having my registration removed voluntarily” and said he was “ready” to do so in July 2025 after a Health and Care Professions Tribunal Service (HCPTS) inquiry committee panel considered the matter and decided there was a case to answer.

He acknowledged the allegation in a document submitted to HCPTS in January 2026 and confirmed that his fitness to practice was now impaired by misconduct and lack of competence.

An HCPTS hearing last month described the allegations as “serious”.

A report said: “These were wide-ranging and indicated a range of sustained failures, including alleged failures in basic clinical decision-making, as well as distinct concerns about communication with colleagues and patients, including children.”

However, the board decided that there was no public interest in examining the allegations.

The report said of these: “These are fully accepted and will remain in the Registrant’s records.”

Thankachan did not attend the hearing, instead emailing HCPTS to say: “I will not attend, but I need a voluntary dismissal (sic)”.

His name was removed from the radiograph records for public protection reasons. A full correction will be required before it can be registered again.

The Independent has contacted Alder Hey Children’s Hospital Foundation for comment.