A Fife mental health nurse who allegedly told a colleague he would “rearrange” a patient’s face has been subject to an 18-month interim suspension order.
David Tracey, who worked at Stratheden Hospital, stood accused by the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) of inappropriately managing a mental health patient on the Lomond Ward on August 6 2013.
It was alleged that Mr Tracey inappropriately handled and restrained a vulnerable mental health patient on the day in question, shouted at the patient, and did not seek help in dealing with the patient, although Mr Tracey himself alleged that he had been assaulted by the female patient in the hospital foyer.
Mr Tracey was also accused of telling a colleague words to the effect of: “If I got her on the outside I would rearrange her face.”
Hearing evidence into the case, an NMC panel ruled that all four charges against Mr Tracey had been proved, although they heard that Mr Tracey had since retired from service from the hospital on health grounds.
Three witnesses said it had not been appropriate for any registrant to restrain a patient on their own, but in his evidence Mr Tracey argued the patient had not been “dragged at any time” as he held her wrist as she walked alongside him to a nurse’s office. The panel also heard witness statements claiming that Mr Tracey had allegedly told a colleague that the patient could “stuff her apology” and that he would “rearrange her face” if he got her on the outside.
Mr Tracey refuted that allegation, but the panel said it believed he did use the words in the charge on the balance of probabilities.