Kent Messenger Maidstone

Rapist review NHS failings over dangers posed by sex attacks nurse

- By Steve Waite swaite@thekmgroup.co.uk @KM_newsroom

A damning report has revealed how an NHS trust failed to recognise the risks posed by a male nurse who was jailed for raping and molesting four women and two teenagers.

Kent and Medway NHS and Social Care Partnershi­p Trust was criticised for its handling of Vijay Bundhun, who was first accused of sexual assault 10 years before his conviction.

The report identifies that, despite nine allegation­s of misconduct made by patients and staff, Bundhun was given glowing references for positions in Maidstone, Pembury, Ashford, Medway and Sittingbou­rne.

The 43-year-old was sentenced at Maidstone Crown Court last August to a minimum of 11 years after being convicted of four counts of rape and nine of sexual assault.

Four of his victims were patients of the Kent and Medway NHS and Social Care Partnershi­p Trust and one was a student nurse.

An independen­t study into the trust’s handling of the case, made public on Monday, showed a sexual assault allegation was first made by a patient in 2004, when he was a part-time health care assistant.

He denied it when interviewe­d by police and no further action was taken.

From 2004 to the point when he was suspended, in March 2014, there were a total of five allegation­s of misconduct made by patients and four by staff.

Two more patients came forward after Bundhun was suspended, one alleging sexually inappropri­ate behaviour.

The 77-page report, carried out by Verita, showed there were several missed opportunit­ies to identify how much of a risk he was, and was critical of the trust’s human resources team for not acting sooner to suspend him.

It revealed that when he changed jobs, references referred to him as “honest” and having “excellent relationsh­ips with colleagues”, with no mention of any allegation­s.

Deficienci­es in how the trust kept personnel files restricted its “ability to recognise the risks he posed”, the review found.

The management of Bundhun by senior managers had not been “robust”, said the report, and he had been able to avoid supervisio­n sessions.

It called for a “culture change” in how the trust makes sure its patients are safe and listed 13 recommenda­tions for improvemen­t.

A year after Bundhun’s suspension in 2014, a Care Quality Commission inspection concluded the trust was still failing to meet the required standard of quality and safety in ensuring staff were regularly supervised.

Commenting on the report, a trust spokesman said: “More than anything, we want to apologise to the women affected by the appalling criminal actions of Vijay Bundhun.

“We welcome and fully accept each of the findings of the independen­t review and are determined to ensure that changes are made to ensure that our patients are safe.”

According to the trust, its new chief executive, Helen Greatorex, has vowed to personally oversee changes and ensure delivery of all actions.

 ?? ?? Vijay Bundhun was sentenced to a minimum of 11 years after being convicted of four counts of rape and nine of sexual assault
Vijay Bundhun was sentenced to a minimum of 11 years after being convicted of four counts of rape and nine of sexual assault

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