BREAKING: A nurse has been struck off the professional register after being found guilty of humiliating a gravely ill patient in the intensive care unit of Prince Charles Hospital in Merthyr Tydfil. Andrew Jonathan Davies, who had served as a nurse for over 40 years, was reported for squeezing the patient’s penis and cleaning it with a substance described as feeling like “acid.”
The serious misconduct allegations, confirmed by the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) panel, detail disturbing incidents from May to June 2021, when the patient, known as Patient A, was unable to speak or move due to being sedated and on a ventilator for 143 days. Patient A suffered from Guillain-Barre syndrome, which resulted in severe paralysis.
During the hearing, evidence revealed that Davies left the patient “crying out in pain” during care. Patient A testified that he was subjected to painful movements and humiliating treatment, with Davies reportedly saying, “oooh it’s got to be done” while inflicting pain. The panel found that on multiple occasions, Davies used a non-clinical product to clean Patient A’s penis, which was not justified and caused him distress.
Davies vehemently denied the allegations, claiming that Patient A’s memories were “false” and stemmed from the effects of his illness. However, the panel dismissed these assertions, stating they showed a lack of insight into his actions. Davies had worked at the hospital with Richmond Nursing Agency Ltd from 2020 to 2021 before being dismissed on July 27, 2021, following an investigation prompted by the patient’s wife.
The panel’s ruling emphasized that Davies’ actions resulted in both physical and emotional harm to Patient A, who communicated his pain through eye movements and nods. In a formal statement, the NMC highlighted that Davies’ behavior was intended to intimidate and humiliate, causing significant suffering to the vulnerable patient.
Following the ruling, a spokesperson for Cwm Taf Morgannwg University Health Board reaffirmed their commitment to patient safety, stating, “The safety and dignity of our patients is of paramount importance.”
As this case continues to draw attention, it raises critical questions about patient care standards and the accountability of medical professionals in high-stakes environments like intensive care.
Stay tuned for updates on this developing story as more details emerge.
