A BARNSLEY mental health nurse who preyed on ‘vulnerable’ patients to pursue a sexual relationship has been handed an interim suspension order to ‘protect the public’ - and he’s set to be struck off the Nursing and Midwifery Council register.
Paul Philip Millward, a registered mental health nurse, was the subject of a misconduct hearing by the Nursing and Midwifery Council from October 21 to October 30.
It’s reported that Millward had taken advantage of the vulnerability of two patients - referred to as ‘Patient A and Patient B’ - in a bid to have sexual relations with them.
The report states: “Between July 15 and September 8 in 2022 he breached professional boundaries with Patient A on one or more occasions in that he visited Patient A at home and/or their workplace outside working hours without a clinical reason.
“He communicated with Patient A by text message outside of working hours.
“His actions were sexually motivated in that he was pursuing a sexual relationship.
“His actions were motivated by the knowledge of Patient A’s vulnerability.”
Millward, between November 2020 and November 2021, attended Patient B’s home and even threatened to discharge them from treatment if they did not comply with his requests.
He often referenced sex with Patient B and dared them to strip for him - saying he ‘liked their curves’.
The report added: “The panel was of the view that the allegation in relation to Patients A and B demonstrate a pattern of behaviour with striking similarities.
“This includes the vulnerable position of the service users, their gender, broad appearance, use of personal phone for contact, blurring of professional boundaries, gift giving and invitations to take part in social events outside of work.
“These factors together with your partial admissions, the existence of relevant contemporaneous notes and the manner in which the statement was obtained from Patient B led the panel to place significant weight on this evidence.
“The panel considered the text message from Patient B, dated November 16 of 2021, in which she described conduct towards her as generally disgusting.
“Patient B also stated that she would not have gone on social outings if she knew it was done outside working hours.
“She further described the various inappropriate comments made towards her as ‘sick’ and they made her feel ‘dirty’ and ‘sexualised’ and to lose her dignity.
“This led Patient B to disengage from her treatment and to block him from contacting her.”
Millward has been handed an 18-month interim suspension order and, if he does not appeal, he will be struck off the register.
The report said: “The panel imposed an interim suspension order for a period of 18 months in order to protect the public and otherwise in the public interest, during any potential appeal period.
“The panel determined that not to impose an interim order would be inconsistent with its earlier decisions.
“If no appeal is made, then the interim suspension order will be replaced by the substantive striking-off order.”
A spokesperson for the South West Yorkshire Partnership NHS Foundation Trust told the Chronicle: “The safety of all the service users and patients we support and care for is very important to us.
“We will not tolerate any unacceptable behaviour which places anyone at risk or makes them feel uncomfortable in our care.
“When concerns were raised in this case we investigated immediately and took swift action to dismiss the individual, and to provide support to everyone affected.
“This is reflected in the NMC findings.
“We continue to do all we can to safeguard and protect those we care for.”
