A NURSE who worked at Ysbyty Glan Clwyd has been struck off after they were found to have kicked a patient multiple times and abused other vulnerable patients while based at the hospital.

Robert Lang was handed an interim suspension order after transgressions during his time on a ward at Glan Clwyd hospital between July 2012 and October 2013.

Mr Lang has 28 days to appeal the decision – if this not lodged or successful, the interim suspension order will be upgraded to a striking-off order.

At a Nursing and Midwifery Council hearing into Mr Lang’s conduct on April 19 and 22, 2024, three charged were levelled against the nurse.

The charges are as follows:

  1. On 19 June 2013, used unnecessary force to manipulate Patient A’s right knee when assisting him into a wheelchair
  2. In July 2012/2013, kicked Patient B multiple times to encourage them out of the nurse’s office
  3. In or around October 2013 forcibly administered medication to Patient C in that you: 

a) administered medication when they were attempting to physically resist having medication administered to them

b) tilted the chair upon which Patient C was sitting to restrain them and/or make it more difficult for them to physically resist

c) emptied the medication syringe you were attempting to administer into Patient C’s mouth whilst they were tilted back on the chair

At the time of the incidents, Mr Lang, who had worked as a psychiatric staff nurse for Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board (BCUHB) since 1983, worked on a ward which cared for patients with organic mental health issues.

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The ward closed in December 2013 following concerns about patient care and treatment, staffing issues, and staff-patient relative relationship difficulties.

The panel heard that on June 19, 2013, Mr Lang “forcefully” manipulated a patient’s knee “ferociously”, and threatened the patient’s wife with no visits when she complained about his use of force.

This charge was found to be proven.

The second charge dates back to July 2012/2013, and a nurse told the panel that the patient in question was “quite unwell” and crawling on the floor.

They said that the patient then crawled into the office, whereby they saw Mr Lang “use the side of his foot to kick him out of the office”, and said something along the lines of “get out”.

The nurse, who was newly qualified at the time, said Mr Lang kicked the patient like a “box or an object”, and that he had kicked him “a few times”.

They added that they found the incident “traumatic" and “did not go into nursing for that”.

This charge was also found to be proven.

The third charge related to the forcible administration of medication to a patient on the ward, who had mental illness including acute anxiety.

Mr Lang made it more difficult for the patient to physically resist having medication administered to them.

A healthcare worker on the ward at the time said they were “horrified” by his practice, adding that Mr Lang “pushed the medications down her throat and the way she was coughing and spluttering they probably did not go where they were supposed to”.

This charge was adjudged to be proven.

The NMC, in its written Statement of Case, said of the charges: “This is a case which involves the physical abuse and ill-treatment of patients.

“The NMC submits that Mr Lang’s conduct has occurred in the past and is liable to occur in the future putting patients at significant risk of unwarranted harm.

“Mr Lang’s action caused actual physical harm to patients and compromised patient safety.

“The misconduct in this case has the potential to cause damage both now and, in the future, where a registrant fails to treat patients with the utmost care and respect.

“Registered professionals occupy a position of trust and must therefore act with integrity and promote a high standard of care at all times.

“Mr Lang’s failure to do so has brought the profession into disrepute and is likely to bring the profession into disrepute in the future.

“Mr Lang’s failings have also breached fundamental tenets of the profession. Nurses are expected to act with kindness and compassion, and provide a high standard of care at all times.

“They are expected to treat people with dignity, keep people safe and to uphold the reputation of the profession.

“They also occupy a position of trust both as a nurse and employee. Mr Lang’s misconduct completely contradicts those fundamental tenets of nursing.

“We consider the registrant has displayed no insight. Mr Lang disputes all of the concerns that have been raised against him. There’s no evidence that he’s attempted to reflect on the issues, show insight or take any steps to address them.

“Although the concerns relate to events that have occurred over 10 years ago, the misconduct in this case fall seriously short of the standards the public expect of professionals caring for them and represent a serious departure from the standards expected of registered nurses.

“The abuse of vulnerable patients is an extremely serious matter and the misconduct raises serious concerns about Mr Lang’s attitude towards people in his care.

“Mr Lang last practised as a registered nurse in 2014 and advised the NMC that he has no intention of seeking employment in the health sector or anywhere else.

“In any event, we consider that there is a continuing risk to the public due to Mr Lang’s lack of insight and failure to undertake any meaningful reflection or demonstrate steps taken to remedy the concerns in this case.

“There is a significant risk of harm to the public were Mr Lang allowed to practise without restriction. Therefore, a finding of impairment is required for the protection of the public.”

“It considered that this pattern of conduct, which took place on three separate occasions towards vulnerable patients, related to basic nursing skills and practice and amounted to the physical abuse of these patients.

“The panel determined that by acting in the manner outlined at charges 1, 2 and 3, Mr Lang failed to provide safe and effective care to patients on each occasion.”