A mental health nurse at the Ty Cwm Rhondda unit in Ystrad has been struck off for engaging in an intimate relationship with a former patient labelled as “vulnerable.” The nurse, Kayleigh Margaret Jones, who also worked as a ward manager, faced allegations that she had inappropriate interactions with the patient after their discharge. The Nursing and Midwifery Council panel was informed that the patient may have blackmailed Jones, with suggestions in a safeguarding report indicating that she may have been paying money through a third party to the patient.
The panel, after gathering evidence in private from various sources including the patient’s father and the governor of the jail where the patient was remanded, concluded there was enough proof of a relationship between Jones and the patient post-discharge. The panel also highlighted that there was potential for emotional harm to the patient due to the relationship. Despite Jones denying any sexual or personal relationship with the patient, the panel found her actions to be “significant departures from the standards expected of a registered nurse.”
Ty Cwm Rhondda, the mental health facility where the incidents took place, operates under the Priory Group and focuses on providing secure services for individuals with complex mental health needs. While the committee did not find Jones guilty of breaching professional boundaries while the patient was an inpatient, they deemed the relationship after discharge as misconduct leading to Jones being removed from the nursing register. The panel noted the ongoing nature of the relationship over several months and expressed concerns about Jones’ lack of insight and potential future risks to patients.