Health bosses have reprimanded a former Aberdeenshire nurse for slapping a patient’s bottom and force-feeding another.
Sean Hubbard-Read, of Crathie, Aberdeenshire, was called before a Nursing and Midwifery (NMC) misconduct hearing to answer a string of charges related to his work as a senior staff nurse at Aberdeen’s Woodend Hospital.
He was found to have slapped one patient on the bottom on March 29, 2012.
A staff nurse, who witnessed the incident, said Mr Hubbard-Read slapped the patient and said to him: “Now don’t do that again, bad.”
She also told the panel that Mr Hubbard-Read looked at her and half laughed as if he was joking.
Mr Hubbard-Read denied the allegation and said he patted the patient on the bottom to indicate he wanted him to move over to clean and change him.
He was also found to have failed to help the man use a urine bottle but a further charge of failing to assist a fellow nurse who was changing and redressing the patient was found not proven.
He also attempted to force-feed a patient who was not hungry, and ignored the advice of two fellow nurses urging him to stop.
Panel chairwoman Dr Pamela Ormerod said: “The panel noted that Mr Hubbard Read had been involved in a number of incidents relating to poor judgement involving his approach to and care of some patients. Further, his actions adversely impacted on the respect and dignity patients are entitled to expect.”
Jonathan Guy, representing Mr Hubbard-Read, said the slapping of patient B’s bottom was “not malicious” but an “error of judgement”. Mr Joy said his client’s actions in attempting to feed patient C were “well intentioned even though his execution was not satisfactory.”
The panel decided to impose a conditions of practice order for three years which would require Mr Hubbard-Read to complete extra training if he wanted to return to the profession.
Mr Hubbard-Read, 43, was employed with NHS Grampian from 2008 until 2012. The charges he faced are all alleged to have happened during 2011.