HORTON: NURSE USED GOLLYWOG FOR RACIST TAUNTS
A racist nurse used a gollywog keyring to mock black colleagues, a tribunal heard.
The figurines were bought as holiday souvenirs and Susan Horton clipped one to her uniform at St Mary’s Hospital in Kettering, Northamptonshire.
Healthcare assistant Sandy Smith told the Nursing and Midwifery Council Horton’s golly was on her uniform ‘so it was always accessible.’
She said: ‘I grew up with gollys and I loved them – I didn’t think there was anything political about them.
‘On a number of occasions I witnessed Ms Horton pointing at the golly and pointing at the black nurses.
‘If I’d known they would be used for ridicule and abuse, I would never have bought them.’
Nurse Sarah Cullum branded a patient a ‘parasite’ and refused to serve him any more toast when he asked for three Weetabix for breakfast, it was claimed.
Ms Smith said: ‘It took place on a Sunday morning. Ms Cullum was very rude to Patient E and refused to let him have three Weetabix.
‘In a loud voice she called him a “parasite” and told us to restrict the amount of toast we gave him.
‘We were all disgusted and ignored her. Patient E heard Ms Cullum and told her there was no need to be nasty.’
Cullum also wore a gollywog keyring, the hearing was told.
Horton and Cullum made monkey noises while discussing a black doctor during a campaign of racist abuse, it is claimed.
They allegedly referred to the medic as ‘scary Mary’ and said she ‘shouldn’t be allowed to breed.’
Racist comments were often exchanged between Horton and Cullum when they met for shift handover, she said.
On one occasion, two black nurses from Guyana were chatting in the staffroom in their native language.
Ms Smith said: ‘Ms Horton and Ms Cullum both made the comment that they were “jabbering away in their gobbledegook.”
‘It was said in a very belittling way and it wasn’t very nice to hear.’
The healthcare assistant said she had witnessed Ms Horton force-feeding an elderly woman who didn’t want to eat.
She said the incident took place in the ward dining room about three years ago and was seen by many other patients.
‘It was a very unpleasant scene to witness,’ she added. ‘She was literally pushing food into her mouth.
‘We can help and encourage the patients to eat, but we’re certainly not supposed to force them.’
Cullum and colleague Sarah Horton are facing a total of 77 misconduct charges.
The majority of the allegations relate to racism, much of it towards a black doctor identified as Ms M.
If the nurses are found guilty and their fitness to practise is ruled to be impaired, they could face being struck off.
The hearing continues.
Ends
