Male nurse struck off for inappropriate relationships

The High Court has confirmed a decision by the Nursing and Midwifery Board to de-register a male nurse found guilty of allegedly engaging in inappropriate relationships with two patients.

After a fitness to practice inquiry held by the independent regulatory body over four days in 2013 and 2014, the nurse was found guilty of “very serious” and repeated episodes of professional misconduct.

The inquiry found the former nurse had engaged in inappropriate relationships with two patients when he worked in two different care facilities.

While working as a nurse at an unnamed child and adolescent psychiatric services during 2008 and 2009, he reportedly had intimate sexual contact with a patient. When asked by senior staff about his contact with the patient whose family members were, or had been, patients of the service, he provided false and inaccurate information.

Another finding was that he had divulged confidential patient information to other people without permission or justification.

The nurse was also found to have had an inappropriate relationship with a vulnerable young person while he was a nurse in 2010 and 2011.

He had been employed as a child care worker at a facility for the care of young people with complex emotional and behavioural needs following traumatic life events.

After being confronted by a senior staff member in February 2011, he agreed to cease the inappropriate contact with the female patient but then continued with the relationship regardless.

Two months later, the operations manager confronted him and he again agreed to stop having any further contact with the patients.

The nurse was told why it was in the interest of the patient that he should refrain from contact with her.

However, he resumed contact with the patient, it was claimed.

The names and locations of the two centres where the former nurse worked were not revealed.