Coodes condemns system failures as banned UK doctor reportedly continues practising abroad

Coodes Solicitors has condemned systemic regulatory failures after an investigation by The Times revealed that Dr Iuliu Stan – struck off in the UK for abusing male patients – is reportedly now practising medicine in Romania.

The law firm, which represents many of Dr Stan’s former patients, said the development was “deeply troubling” and called for urgent international reform to stop doctors barred in one country from working unchecked in another.

Rachel Pearce, Partner and Head of Personal Injury and Clinical Negligence at Coodes Solicitors, said: “Dr Stan’s victims have shown immense courage in speaking out and pursuing justice and it has been shocking for them to learn that Iuliu Stan is continuing to practise.

“They rightly expect that a doctor struck off for abusing patients should not be allowed to continue practising – not here, not anywhere.

“This case exposes serious flaws in how medical bans are recognised across borders and we are calling for urgent collaboration between governments and regulators to close these dangerous loopholes.”

Dr Stan, who worked at the Royal Cornwall Hospital between 2015 and 2020, was struck off in 2024 after being found guilty of misconduct by the Medical Practitioners Tribunal. The tribunal concluded he had ‘preyed’ on male patients for his own ‘sexual gratification’. A number of the victims were minors.

The initial investigation and tribunal highlighted the cases of 37 patients who were contacted by Royal Cornwall Hospital Trust in January 2024. A further, undisclosed number of former patients were written to in summer 2024 informing them they may also have received inappropriate treatment from the same doctor.

In January 2025, the Trust wrote to solicitors representing affected individuals to admit liability for the actions of the clinician and offer an unreserved apology to victims. Discussions are ongoing to resolve claims brought by his victims.

Now, The Times reports that Dr Stan is working in Cluj-Napoca, Romania, as a trauma and orthopaedic specialist, despite The General Medical Council (GMC) saying it alerted Romanian authorities to his previous actions in 2024.

One of the men abused by Dr Stan during his time at Royal Cornwall Hospital, and who is being represented by Coodes, spoke out after learning that Dr Stan was being allowed to continue treating patients in his home country.

He said: “This has come as a huge shock and I think it is absolutely disgusting that Dr Stan is still being allowed to work abroad.

“I have lost all confidence and trust in the NHS and the authorities since I found out I was one of the persons he abused. It has affected me massively and my anxiety kicks through the roof when I see a hospital letter or get phone calls. I don’t think I will ever feel the same again.

“Something has to be done to stop Dr Stan working and potentially ruining the lives of more people like me.”

Coodes is now joining calls for enforceable cross-border safeguards to prevent similar failures in the future.

“Patients deserve to feel safe and protected no matter where they are,” said Rachel Pearce.

“This situation underlines the urgent need for a consistent, international approach to medical regulation. A ban should mean a ban, across all borders internationally, and certainly there is no excuse for this lapse in regulatory enforcement in Europe.”