A SCOTS nurse has been given a caution order by the nursing regulator after ‘playing chappy’ on a patient’s door.
Douglas Masson admitted knocking on the vulnerable man’s door before immediately hiding in September 2019 while working at Royal Edinburgh Hospital.
The mental health nurse, who has practised for 30 years, was found to have put the patient who suffered from paranoia at risk of harm by doing so.
Mr Masson apologised to the service user, however he faced a hearing in front of the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) which lasted several days.
Documents released today (THUR) revealed that following an investigation Mr Masson was issued with a caution order which will stay on his registration for two years.
The NMC said: “In September 2019, on at least one occasion knocked on Patient A’s door and then hid.
“The panel finds that Patient A was put at risk of psychological and or emotional harm as a result of your misconduct.
“The panel also finds that your misconduct had breached the fundamental tenets of the nursing profession and therefore brought its reputation into disrepute.
“The panel bore in mind that, although you cannot explain your actions, you recognise what you did wrong. Furthermore, it was an isolated incident.
“It also noted the training that you have since undertaken as well as your reflective statement and positive testimonials.
“However, the panel considered that a fully informed member of the public would be concerned to learn of your actions during the course of your professional work.
“You breached fundamental tenets of the nursing profession and ought to have known better.
“Having regard to all of the above, the panel was satisfied that your fitness to practise is currently impaired.”
Mr Masson was found to have shown genuine remorse for his actions.
Following the hearing, the NMC decided that Douglas’ fitness to practise is currently impaired.
The panel have noted that Douglas apologised to the patient and has “shown genuine remorse” for his actions.
Mr Masson was also accused of telling the patient on a separate occasion that he was “delusional” and “you won’t be getting out of here”.
The panel found that there was not enough evidence to support this allegation.
