Nurse struck off after cancer lies
ACHILDREN’S nurse who lied that she was dying of cancer has been struck off. Fibbing Alicia Daniels told bosses at a Bristol hospital she had womb cancer.
She claimed she needed radiotherapy and surgery – and even sent in bogus medical letters to shield her deceit.
Epilepsy nurse Daniels was banned from the profession as a disciplinary panel condemned her lies as “sustained” and “premeditated”.
Panel chair Sophie Lomas told the Nursing and Midwifery Council: “This case involved sophisticated dishonesty over a sustained period of time.”
Daniels’ web of lies began in July 2015 when, after a long chunk of sick leave, she revealed she had been diagnosed with stage one womb cancer.
She claimed her treatment had been scheduled to begin immediately at the hospital.
But bosses found no appointment in her name at the radiotherapy department and became suspicious.
To cover her tracks, Daniels then sent a fake letter from the hospital’s cancer department setting out a treatment plan.
And, in March 2016, Daniels insisted she was due to undergo surgery but when asked to provide medical notes “kept making excuses” .
She claimed her GP had refused to write cancer on her sick note “as they only tended to write the bare minimum”.
Daniels denied bosses access to her health records and eventually quit her job in July 2016, while still maintaining she had cancer.
She then went on to secure a job as a school nurse after submitting bogus references.
The NMC said there was “no evidence to support the suggestion that Miss Daniels had a serious underlying health condition”.
Panel chair Sophie Lomas said: “This case involved sophisticated and premeditated dishonesty over a sustained period of time.
‘’Miss Daniels continued to conceal the truth despite being challenged and given several opportuni- ties to come forward.
“Miss Daniels continued to lie to her employer about a false diagnosis of cancer, despite being challenged on many occasions and being given opportunities to tell the truth.”
Daniels was banned indefinitely after the panel ruled she brought the profession into disrepute.
Ms Lomas added: “Miss Daniels was working in a profession which involved providing care to members of the public, knowing full well that such members of the public, and their loved ones, have to deal with the suffering caused by cancer diagnoses.
“Any attempts to explain her behaviour appear to have focused on health and personal circumstances.”
Daniels was not present or represented at the hearing in London.
A University Hospitals Bristol NHS Foundation Trust spokesperson said: “We recognise the central role that our nursing staff take in the treatment and support of patients.
“We take the integrity and conduct of all our staff extremely seriously and value the role the NMC plays in ensuring staff uphold professional standards.”