A nurse has been struck off after forming an inappropriate relationship with an 'extremely vulnerable' patient. Amanda Taylor-Bradley befriended the woman while working with the Gainsborough Mental Health Team.
The Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) heard that Taylor-Bradley and the patient would meet at their homes, go shopping, and took up kickboxing together. The panel ruled her actions were an abuse of her position and caused 'substantial harm' to the patient.
Taylor-Bradley, employed as a community psychiatric nurse by Lincolnshire Partnership NHS Foundation Trust, began working with the patient, who had borderline personality disorder and an eating disorder, in September 2018. The panel heard they soon spoke most days, went shopping, and attended kickboxing classes twice a week and a netball group once a week.
She also shared personal information about colleagues and other patients with the woman. At one point, Taylor-Bradley told the patient: 'If anyone found out we were friends, I would be in trouble.' The relationship came to light in October 2019 when the patient disclosed information to staff at the White Gables Crisis House.
Minutes after being told by managers not to contact the patient again, Taylor-Bradley tried ringing and Facebook messaging them. Disciplinary action was launched by the trust, but she resigned before it could take place. Panel chair Dale Simon said her actions were 'extremely serious' and would undermine public confidence in the profession.
