NORTH YORKSHIRE, England – A senior scientist was forced to resign from his post with Britain’s National Health Service after a virus-laden pornographic PowerPoint presentation infected his office computer and called higher-ups’ attention to unauthorized use of government equipment.After the NHS information technology department responded to a cry for help from Roger Mattock, 54, technicians discovered explicit images and emails on his hard drive. A further search of his workspace uncovered “a bag filled with pornographic magazines” and a “blue movie” in his locker, as well as a printout of a naked woman in a desk drawer. Fellow employees then revealed Mattock had “bombarded” them with off-color emails that contained porn and racist jokes, according to testimony before the Health Professions Council panel that investigated the matter.
Mattock, a father of three with 35 years’ experience as a blood transfusion specialist within the NHS, admitted sending and receiving 89 potentially offensive emails during the past six years. However, he told the HPC investigative body the culture at NHS encouraged him to engage in the behavior.
“There seemed to be a culture within the department — not just within the department, but with other people in the [NHS] as well — for these images to go around,” he said. “I just did what I saw [other] people doing. I suppose I wanted to fit in. People had sent me these things, so I sent them something back. The numbers seemed to go up as the years progressed. Also, there was a lot of text messages that went round the department, as well.”
The episode cost Mattock a £55,000-a-year salary, though he remains employed at a lower level at an NHS branch office.
After three hours of deliberations, the HPC panel termed Mattock’s actions “deliberate” and found him guilty of misconduct and breach of ethics. Although the panel could have yanked his professional license, he was let off with a warning that will remain in his personnel file for five years.
“The scientist’s misconduct relates to the receipt, forwarding and retention of inappropriate material of a racist and sexist nature,” HPC panel chairman Martin Ryder wrote in the decision. “The public is entitled to expect the highest standard of behavior from a registered health professional, especially one of Mr. Mattock’s experience. The panel has therefore concluded that his fitness to practice is impaired.
“The panel is satisfied that a caution order would be a proportionate and appropriate sanction and is in the public interest,” Ryder added. “The panel has taken into account the assurances given and the positive steps taken by Mr. Mattock to ensure there is no repetition of the inappropriate behavior.”
Mattock said the bag of pornographic magazines resided in his work locker because his wife had thrown them out from under the bed with an ultimatum that he dispose of them.
