Charge

Mr Jason Brady Raymond McMillan, a registered nurse formerly of Napier/Hastings, (the Nurse) was charged with professional misconduct.  The charge alleged that while caring for a young female mental health patient the Nurse trangressed the normal professional nursing boundaries.

Background

The Nurse made statements of a personal nature to the patient and texted her while she was in hospital.  After the patient was discharged from hospital he maintained contact with her which increased in its intimacy until there was a sexual relationship.

Finding

The charge proceeded by way of an Agreed Summary of Facts and the Nurse accepted his conduct amounted to professional misconduct.  The Tribunal found the charge established.

Penalty

The Tribunal cancelled the Nurse's registration and ordered him to pay $13,500 costs.

The Tribunal further ordered that before the Nurse may reapply for registration as a nurse he must satisfy the following conditions:

• he must demonstrate to the satisfaction of the Nursing Council that he has undertaken appropriate significant education in ethics and boundaries; and
• for a period of two years he must be assessed and monitored at his expense by the Health Committee and comply with any conditions, including ongoing assessments and monitoring, as the Committee deems appropriate.
• The Tribunal directed publication of its decision and a summary.