Mental health nurse who made his patients wash his car as part of their 'therapy' is struck off

A mental health nurse who made four vulnerable patients wash his car as part of their 'therapy' has been struck off. 

Ian Brown, who worked at a care home for male offenders with mental illnesses in Ipswich, claimed the activity was 'more constructive' than 'sitting outside smoking'. 

A Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) misconduct hearing heard his conduct was 'deplorable' and 'breached the fundamental tenets' of the nursing profession.

Mr Brown qualified as a nurse in February 2018 but concerns were raised about his 'unprofessional behaviour' towards both colleagues and patients at his first job.

This resulted in an investigation and Brown was given a final written warning.

He was then redeployed to Foxhall House, in Ipswich in January 2019 and was required to undertake a development plan for a period of six months - which focused on 'values and behaviours'.

However, in August 2019, he took four residents - all of which are sectioned under the Mental Health Act - to clean his car.

A colleague: 'I was on the late shift. In handover there was nothing to report that he [Mr Brown] was taking the patients out to wash his car, it wasn't discussed.

'[Mr Brown] said it was therapy.'

Another witness said: 'He came into the handover room and while I was handing over said that he had a job for the patients that afternoon and would be having them wash his car.'

The disclipinary panel heard only two of the four patients had permission to leave.

The hearing was also told that Mr Brown responded to a disciplinary allegation by saying: 'I believe it's more constructive to wash a car than sit outside smoking.'

Mr Brown was also found to have left a gate open in September 2021, meaning a patient was able to 'abscond' before 'luckily' staff were able to get him back.

He resigned in October 2019 and was referred to the Nursing and Midwifery Council in November 2020.

The panel concluded Mr Brown's conduct amounted to 'serious misconduct involving numerous vulnerable residents' and potentially members of the public which occurred over a period of time.

'[We] determined that this is conduct that showed a flagrant disregard to the Code and would be considered deplorable by fellow nurses as well as an ordinary informed member of the public,' they said.

'The panel finds that vulnerable residents, visitors, members of the public and colleagues were put at risk of physical and emotional harm as a result of Mr Brown's misconduct.

'Mr Brown's misconduct had breached the fundamental tenets of the nursing profession and therefore brought its reputation into disrepute.'

The panel said he had 'deep-seated attitudinal issues' and continued: 'Mr Brown's actions were significant departures from the standards expected of a registered nurse and are fundamentally incompatible with him remaining on the register.'

They therefore concluded the 'appropriate and proportionate' sanction was that he be struck off from the nurses' register.