‘Carry On Matron’ nurse rebuked over ‘banter’

Fife man touched fellow staff members and made ‘belittling’ comments

A Fife nurse whose “ward banter” was described as being like the “Carry On Matron” film has been reprimanded by a care watchdog.

Iain Scott admitted touching a female nurse on the buttocks and accidentally touching the breasts of another while working at Victoria Hospital in Kirkcaldy.

The staff nurse also repeatedly made comments about a female colleague walking and sounding like a man before calling her “Neil” in front of others.

Scott, who no longer works at the hospital, also admitted telling a nurse she had “a builder’s bum” before putting a gloved hand down her trousers and pulling them up.

The incidents all took place between September 2014 and January 2017 before he was reported to management and suspended.

He was subsequently investigated by the police before standing trial where was acquitted of all charges in August 2017.

Scott appeared in front of a Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) panel last month where he faced nine charges which were found proven.

The panel ruled his fitness to practise was impaired.

The nurse whose breasts were touched told the hearing Scott had said “whooo” after making contact and said the comment had been made in a “Carry On Matron or Leslie Phillips” way.

Scott, who admitted some of the charges but insisted his behaviour was “general banter”, was handed a 12-month conditions of practice order.

The nurse told the hearing he was “mortified” to have caused his two colleagues so much offence.

The NMC said he must create a personal development plan which addresses communication skills, leadership, team-working and maintaining professional boundaries.

A ruling from the watchdog said: “The panel was satisfied that your course of conduct in charges 2 and 3 was bullying and harassment.

“You demonstrated belittling behaviour to a junior colleague and there is no evidence that your inappropriate comments were ‘general ward banter’.

“The panel noted that your comments had a profound effect on colleague A and that she endured them for an extended period of time.

“The panel also noted that she made repeated discreet attempts to register her dismay and feelings to you, a senior colleague, and for whatever reason you carried on.”

In reference to Scott’s “swagger like a man” comment, the panel added: “The panel was mindful that all of the comments were made in a clinical area within the hearing of the public and patients.”

Scott, who was unavailable for comment yesterday, has not practised as a registered nurse since January 2017.