Biddulph nurse banned after sex with 'vulnerable' patient

A NURSE who had sex with one of her patients in his mother's house during a three-month affair has been booted out of the profession.

Deborah Boulton declared her love for the vulnerable man by pestering him with phone calls and text messages.

She plied him with alcohol, took him to restaurants and visited him at his mother's house where they had sex.

And towards the end of their relationship she left him a telephone message in which she threatened: "I will end the relationship and you will be alone because you will never see me again."

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The Longton man – who was only known as patient A – was referred to Boulton after receiving treatment at the Sutherland Centre, in Longton.

Now Boulton, of Long Valley Road, Biddulph, has been struck off by the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC).

The NMC ruled the nurse's affair with the man amounted to misconduct and that her fitness to practise was impaired.

Panel chairman James Daniell said: "The panel is of the view that Ms Boulton was in a position of power and authority within her role as a nurse. Patient A was an extremely vulnerable patient.

"Her focus on the relationship with Patient A, rather than providing him with appropriate treatment pathways, meant he was not receiving all the care he needed.

"Furthermore, her actions were directly responsible for causing a vulnerable patient stress and anxiety.

"In addition Boulton encouraged Patient A's continued use of alcohol, which was particularly damaging given his history of alcohol abuse.

"By placing her own needs above the needs of Patient A, Boulton breached the fundamental tenets of the profession."

Boulton first met Patient A in February 2009 when he was transferred to The Sutherland Centre after overdosing on sedative diazepam.

NMC solicitor Tom Hoskins said: "She gave Patient A her mobile telephone number, a matter that he didn't see any issue with, thinking that she was just being caring."

But by the end of the month Boulton was sending him text messages every day. There were also a number of social meetings, during which Boulton would visit the patient at his mum's house and have sex with him.

Mr Daniell said: "Ultimately the patient concluded the relationship in June 2009. After that it is alleged Boulton continued to attempt to contact him via his mobile phone, causing him to destroy the phone to avoid any further contact."

The affair came to light in August 2009. Boulton, who did not attend the hearing, has 28 days to challenge the decision.

She was working for NHS North Staffordshire Combined Healthcare at the time.

A spokesman said: "The nurse hasn't worked for the trust since 2009."

Boulton was unavailable for comment.