A naive female nurse who conducted unauthorized co
A naive female nurse who conducted unauthorized counselling sessions with a former mental patient behind closed doors has been struck off.
Alison Thornton, 32, treated the male inmate without informing his consultant psychiatrist or careworker.
The man, referred to as patient B, had been admitted to the Chesterfield and North Derbyshire Royal Hospital suffering from post traumatic stress disorder following an industrial accident.
He had originally come under the care of Thornton in the psychiatric unit at the facility in late 1994, the Nursing and Midwifery Council in London heard.
But after he moved from Townsley to Morton ward the pair continued seeing each other.
David Glendinning, for the NMC, said: ‘Although Thornton was not patient B’s associate nurse, she interfered in his care and undermined a colleagues work with patient B.
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He added: ‘Patient B came to Townsley Ward seeking out the respondent and they either spent time together in the nurses station or had ”one to one” sessions in the quiet room.
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Even after patient B’s discharge in February 1995 he would return to the ward and ‘spend time with the respondent,’ the hearing was told.
Senior staff were unaware of the purpose for the sessions but thought Thornton, a staff nurse, had permission to hold regular weekly sessions with the man for much of the summer of 1995.
Mr Glendinning added: ‘Patient B would regularly attend the ward for individual sessions with the respondent which took place behind closed doors.
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The hearing was told that Thornton was quizzed in June 1995 and asked to ‘clarify her role.
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‘The respondent said she was working on a desensitization program but did not provide details.
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The committee heard the some sessions included trips to the factory gates where the accident took place while Thornton was off-duty.
Thornton, who had qualified just two years earlier, also made no notes on Patient B’s records of the sessions, said Mr Glendinning.
‘It is unusual for a member of ward staff to continue to be involved in a care of a patient after discharge from the ward.
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The hearing was told the sessions ended in August 1995.
Thornton, who appeared at the proceedings, admitted undertaking therapeutic sessions without informing his psychiatrist or primary worker.
She also admitted failing to record any sessions in Patient B’s nursing notes.
Cliff Edwards, defending, said: ‘She was naive.
She saw someone who was vulnerable and felt they were not getting the care needed and albeit naively thought she could enhance that.
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Nurse Thornton was later struck off after being found guilty of professional misconduct.
Chairman Frank Corr told the 32-year-old from Chesterfield: ‘The committee has decided to remove your name from the register with immediate effect.
‘The reasons are the seriousness of the offences and abuse of your privileged position in relation not just to one patient but several over a period of time.
‘In all the circumstances we have taken the view in the interests of public protection it is necessary to remove your name from the register.
‘The committee hopes in the light of it’s decision Rampton Hospital might be able to continue to employ you in a non-nursing capacity.
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Thornton had admitted misconduct over the therapeutic sessions with the patient.
She was also found guilty of four other misconduct charges after a hearing that was mainly conducted in the absence of press and the public.
ends
