DUNDEE NURSE STRUCK OFF AFTER SEXUALLY MOTIVATED CONDUCT TOWARDS PATIENT

A nurse named Gordon Linton, aged 53, who was working at the Carseview Centre in Dundee, has been struck off the nursing register after engaging in inappropriate conduct towards a former mental health patient. During her short inpatient stay between March and April 2020, Linton met the woman and began attempting to forge a personal and sexual relationship with her by sending flirtatious messages via Facebook. He told her she was “beautiful” and “adorable,” and asked her to “give me a chance,” despite her begging him to leave her alone. The woman, referred to as Patient A, accepted a friend request from Linton before he started calling and messaging her, which became increasingly 'creepy' and 'sexually motivated.' She was especially alarmed when he mentioned her daughter and asked for her address. Despite her clear boundaries, Linton persisted in trying to engage her, to the point where she felt threatened. An internal investigation was initiated after Patient A reported her concerns to NHS Tayside, fearing he might turn up at her home uninvited. The panel reviewed the case and found that Linton’s actions breached professional boundaries and policies regarding sexual conduct with patients, which he disregarded. In addition, Linton sent threatening emails to an investigating officer, stating: “You f*** with me you are unemployed within a year. I f****** mean business.” The Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) found all allegations against him proved and concluded his conduct was seriously below the standards expected of a nurse. Consequently, Linton was banned from practicing as a nurse. The panel emphasized that Mr. Linton was aware of the vulnerabilities of the patient and disregarded them, actively seeking a sexual relationship in a professional setting. The NMC also imposed an 18-month suspension order in case he chooses to appeal the striking-off decision. The incident has caused significant distress to the patient, and it has negatively affected her trust in the mental health profession, potentially impacting her future treatment. The former nurse did not participate in the hearing but was reported to be suffering from stress at the time of the incident.