Nurse found guilty of misconduct with patient

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A Christchurch nurse who bought a patient an ice-cream and accessed her clinical file has been found guilty of professional misconduct.

Paul Shennan was dismissed from his position as a registered nurse at Hillmorton Hospital in February after he accessed a patient's clinical file, texted her, took her to McDonald's, bought her an ice-cream and paid for her to have a haircut.

He was found guilty by the Health Practitioners Disciplinary Tribunal and ordered to pay $5000 in costs.

At a hearing in Christchurch last month, the tribunal heard how Shennan and a patient, known as Ms N, formed a relationship over a two-month period.

The patient used to be in Shennan's care until she transferred to a different unit at the hospital.

After her transfer, Shennan gave the patient his number and suggested they meet for a coffee. On January 9 he took her to McDonald's when she was not meant to leave the hospital grounds.

Two weeks later they went to the movies, and Shennan accessed the woman's progress reports when he had no authority. The patient was classed as a suicide risk and suffered from depression.

The tribunal heard that after Ms N and Shennan went to the movies she returned to the hospital and seemed nervous, and then requested anti-anxiety medication from Wendy Fraser, another nurse at the unit. In a tribunal report, Fraser said the patient told her about her relationship with Shennan and said she felt "uncomfortable" about it and knew it was unprofessional.

The nurse consultant for acute in-patient services at the Canterbury District Health Board, Anne-Marie Wijnveld, said the patient seemed concerned that if she named the staff member he would lose his job.

Shennan was fired on February 5 after the board investigated Ms N's allegations.

The tribunal said the nurse's actions were unprofessional, and entering into a relationship with a vulnerable patient would increase the risks to her.

Shennan said he never had any sexual intentions and just wanted to be her friend. The patient told staff Shennan's behaviour was never sexual.

On top of the $5000 costs, Shennan must also be supervised by the Nursing Council for 18 months.

- © Fairfax NZ News