Armagh based nurse struck off for bringing profession into disrepute

A NURSE working at a specialist unit within Armagh’s St Luke’s Hospital has been struck off following what were described as “actions and omissions [which] brought the nursing profession into disrepute”.

The sanction against Connor Deeney was imposed by the Nursing and Midwifery Council following a case heard in mid August.

In its findings the NMC stated, “Mr Deeney’s actions were serious departures from the standards expected of a registered nurse, and are fundamentally incompatible with him remaining on the NMC Register.”

The panel was of the view that the findings in this particular case demonstrate that Mr Deeney’s actions were serious and to allow him to continue practising “would undermine public confidence in the profession and in the NMC as a regulatory body”.

“Given its findings in respect of Mr Deeney having a deep-seated attitudinal issue, that there is real risk of repetition of the misconduct and a consequent risk of serious harm to patients, colleagues and the public, the panel determined that a striking off order is the only sanction sufficient to protect patients, colleagues and the public.

“Having regard to the effect of Mr Deeney’s actions in bringing the profession into disrepute by adversely affecting the public’s view of how a registered nurse should conduct himself, the panel has concluded that nothing short of this would be sufficient in this case.

“Balancing all of these factors and after taking into account all the evidence before it during this case, the panel determined that the appropriate and proportionate sanction is that of a striking-off order.

“The panel considered that this order was both necessary to protect the public and to mark the importance of maintaining public confidence in the profession, and to send to the public and the profession a clear message about the standard of behaviour required of a registered nurse.”

Outlining the background, case documents said, “On 26 October, 2021, the NMC received a referral from Southern Health and Social Care Trust, Northern Ireland (the Trust).

“The referral related to concerns about Mr Deeney’s attitude, patient care and his treatment of colleagues.

“The charges arose whilst Mr Deeney was employed by the Trust as a band 5 staff nurse working at Gillis Memory Centre (Gillis) at St Luke’s Hospital.”

Gillis is a secure dementia assessment unit, caring for up to 18 patients who were admitted for intervention and treatment until they could return to a nursing home or to their own home.

Due to the debilitating nature of dementia, and the stress this causes to patients, a number of them can become confused and distressed and this can sometimes lead to aggressive behaviour.

It was found that on 8 October 2020, when Mr Deeney was asked by Ms 4 to complete his Future Nurse, Future Midwife (FNFM) mentorship training, which is one of the NMC standards for education and training, he refused to complete it.

In an email Mr Deeney said, “‘I will not be completing the fnfm training because over this past number of years I have come to the opinion that I cannot in my right conscious mind encourage anyone to waste their lives in this profession. Indeed my intentions would be to discourage potential students from wasting their energy and efforts in this rhetorical inactive pseudo supportive environment. Sincerely Conor.”

It was also found that on 29 March, 2021, Mr Deeney administered an incorrect dose of lithium to a patient (Patient D). It is further found that following the incorrect dose of lithium being administered to Patient D, Mr Deeney failed to adequately reflect on and address the medication error.

In June 2021, Patient A was admitted into Gillis. Following admission to Gillis, patients were required to be kept in isolation for a two week period to minimise the spread of COVID-19 to other patients and staff.

The documents stated, “Patient A was a vulnerable patient who was detained under the Mental Health Act and there was a risk of him absconding. Patient A was also subject to police and safeguarding investigations following reports of him sexually assaulting females in the community. Given the potential risk to female patients and staff, one-to-one care and observation was assigned to Patient A. It is alleged that on 30 June, 2021, Mr Deeney allowed Patient A to leave the isolation area, taking him through a communal area and outside to sit on a motorcycle. It is alleged that Mr Deeney took this course of action without carrying out a risk assessment and without prior agreement and/or authorisation from the multidisciplinary (MDT) team.”

Outlining another allegation, the documents stated, “Patient B had cerebral palsy and therefore had poor mobility and was prone to falls.

“Patient B was known to be aggressive towards staff and had punched female staff in the face. It was recorded that Patient B would often respond better to de-escalation carried out by male staff. In Patient B’s care plan as of 18 June, 2021, the following was recorded: ‘where immediate danger exists or situations warrant immediate action, ensure any necessary medical assistance is sought’.

“During the nightshift of 5-6 July 2021, it is alleged that Patient B became aggressive towards two Healthcare Assistants (HCA) and started shouting at them. Patient B was incontinent and was reported as slipping off the bed. It is alleged that Patient B was punching, spitting and shouting at the two HCAs and Ms 3 while they were trying to stop him from falling from the bed. It is alleged that Mr Deeney, although he came to the door of the room, did not go to assist with Patient B or try to deescalate the situation. It is further alleged that Mr Deeney shouted “what are you all doing? Just leave him alone and walk away”. It is alleged that Mr Deeney acted in an intimidating manner towards the junior colleagues who were trying to de-escalate the situation. It is also alleged that Mr Deeney told his colleagues to “let [Patient B] fall. So what if he falls” or words to that effect.”

In their findings the panel said, “The panel found that Mr Deeney’s refusal to undertake mandatory FNFM training to support student nurses and his failure to undertake training and adequate reflection following a medication error raise attitudinal concerns. A nurse is expected to share knowledge and to be able to reflect on mistakes in order to strengthen their practice.”

They also stated, “The panel was of the view that Mr Deeney’s failure to assist colleagues during the incident relating to Patient B was serious given the potential risk of harm to the patient and staff.

“The panel noted that Patient B had a history of aggression towards staff. The panel also noted the evidence of Ms 3 who recounted 19 incidents where Patient B had punched female staff in the face with a clenched fist. In her evidence, Ms 3 also told the panel that Patient B rarely repeated this behaviour with male staff, and it was known that any incidents involving Patient B could be de-escalated by male staff members more quickly than by female staff members. The panel found that Mr Deeney’s treatment of his colleagues during this incident was inappropriate and unprofessional and fell seriously short of what is expected of a registered nurse.”