Indian-Origin Speech Therapist Dismissed from UK NHS Role Over Language Proficiency Concerns
An Indian-origin woman has been terminated from her position as a speech and language therapist within the United Kingdom's National Health Service (NHS) after confessing she was unable to comprehend her colleagues. Sai Keerthana Sriperambuduru commenced employment with the York and Scarborough Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust in October 2023. On her initial application, she asserted that English was her native language, thereby exempting herself from the requirement to demonstrate linguistic proficiency.
Communication Difficulties Emerge Rapidly
Shortly after beginning her role as a Band 5 paediatric speech and language therapist (SALT), colleagues observed significant communication barriers. Ms. Sriperambuduru appeared incapable of effectively interacting with both staff members and the patients under her care. This prompted a formal review meeting on November 7, 2023, where she disclosed that Telugu, not English, was her true native language.
During a subsequent review in December 2023, she informed the trust that she was attending regular English lessons outside of work hours. However, she expressed ongoing struggles, particularly with transcribing fast-paced conversations involving children and their parents. Her difficulties extended to understanding patients' speech patterns, including challenges with pronunciation, sentence structure, and grammatical nuances.
Termination and Regulatory Hearing
After an eight-month probationary period, the trust dismissed Ms. Sriperambuduru in June 2024 on grounds of capability. The termination rationale stated the organization "cannot sustain the levels of support without further compromising patient care and the existing team." Following her dismissal, she appealed the decision, leading to a hearing before the Health and Care Professions Tribunal Service (HCPTS).
At the tribunal, Ms. Sriperambuduru argued that her education was conducted in English, which she believed qualified it as her first language in a professional context. The panel rejected this argument, concluding she had intentionally deceived the trust to secure employment. Consequently, she was removed from the professional register.
Application Process and Definition Dispute
The NHS application explicitly queries language proficiency, stating: "Is English your first language? You should only indicate that English is your first language if it is the main or only language you use on a day-to-day basis." It further clarifies that having studied in English does not automatically designate it as one's first language.
In a written submission, Ms. Sriperambuduru contended she "genuinely believed that English could reasonably be considered my first language in the context of my education and professional practice." She added that she did not fully comprehend the regulatory definition, which requires English to be the primary language in all daily life circumstances.
Additional Evidence of Concealment
The hearing revealed further details that undermined her case. In November 2024, she confirmed to the HCPC that she had never taken the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) exam prior to entering the UK. More notably, her line manager reported that Ms. Sriperambuduru had requested to use a chat-box facility during interviews, allowing questions to be typed rather than asked verbally—a practice described as 'very unusual' for someone residing in the UK.
The tribunal panel interpreted this request as a deliberate attempt to conceal her lack of spoken English proficiency, further evidencing dishonesty. This case highlights the critical importance of accurate language proficiency declarations in healthcare roles, where effective communication is paramount for patient safety and quality of care.
