Nurse sanctioned for sexual activity with patient

A community nurse who admitted to sexual activity with a vulnerable patient during a clinical appointment faces being struck off by the nursing regulator.

Simon Robertson, from Binbrook, Lincolnshire, was jailed for 18 months in November 2024 after pleading guilty to one charge of sexual activity by a care worker at Lincoln Crown Court.

A meeting of the Nursing and Midwifery Council's (NMC) found Robertson's fitness to practise was impaired by reason of his conviction.

In its ruling, the panel imposed an interim suspension order for a period of 18 months. If no appeal is made, the order will be replaced by a striking off order 28 days after Robertson is sent the decision of the hearing.

The court previously heard Robertson met the woman during an initial assessment in November 2021 when it was noted that the patient could become intimate with those who were kind to her.

There was then an incident in March 2022 where Robertson danced with the woman at her home and she undid his belt.

Two weeks later there was a further lone meeting at her home where Robertson admitted touching the woman in an intimate way after she instigated the activity by taking hold of his hand following a back massage.

At the outset of the meeting, the panel was told that a provisional agreement of a Consensual Panel Determination (CPD) had been reached with regard to the case between the NMC and Robertson.

It outlined Robertson's full admission to the fact alleged in the charge, and that his fitness to practise was currently impaired by reason of that conviction, with the appropriate sanction being a striking off order.

In its findings, the NMC noted that the patient had been left confused by events, and the experience had impacted her ability to trust those who were supposed to care for her.

It also found Robertson had taken advantage of the trust placed in him, with his actions "considered to be deplorable by his fellow practitioners and members of the public", with his offending described as "a gross breach of trust".

Robertson's conduct "brings the profession into disrepute in that the public's trust in the nursing profession has been seriously undermined", it added.

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