NURSE CARRIED OUT UNNECESSARY EXAMS ON CHILDREN
A nurse who conducted unnecessary intimate examinations on minors for sexual satisfaction has been disqualified from practicing.Ashley Boyd, who performed examinations that were outside his professional responsibilities, was subject to a Fitness to Practice hearing conducted by the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) earlier this month, the panel was told.
Boyd, employed at Swindon’s Great Western Hospital from 2019 until 2024, was explicitly instructed by management not to perform such examinations.
The hospital stated that Boyd was suspended promptly once the misconduct was discovered in January 2024.
Wiltshire Police initiated an initial inquiry, and following advice from the Crown Prosecution Service, handed the case back to the hospital for internal investigation.
A police representative indicated that discussions are ongoing with the Great Western Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust to decide if further criminal proceedings are warranted.
Between September 2022 and March 2023, Boyd was also the chair of Swindon and Wiltshire Pride; the organization clarified that he had no direct contact with children while in this role and that he left in 2023.
In 2022, Boyd also led the trust’s LGBTQ+ network.
Having qualified as an adult nurse in July 2019, he served as a Band 5 nurse but was not specialised as a paediatric nurse.
He had requested to work in the paediatric emergency department.
At the time of the incidents, he was rostered as a triage nurse within the paediatric assessment unit, where his duties included collecting medical information and monitoring vital signs.
However, the disciplinary panel confirmed that he performed testicular examinations beyond his professional scope.
Police questioned Boyd in August 2023 following a hospital investigation, leading to his referral to the NMC.
Six misconduct charges were brought against him for incidents occurring between January and August 2023.
He admitted to four: carrying out intimate examinations on children without permission or clinical need, doing so despite instructions not to, failing to properly document these examinations, and withholding prescribed treatment from a child after consulting with a colleague.
He denied two charges, but the panel upheld those allegations, concluding that some or all of his conduct was sexually motivated, performed for personal sexual gratification, and involved dishonesty.
The panel deemed his misconduct serious enough to warrant removal from the register.
During the January hearing, which Boyd did not attend, lawyer Simran Ghotra stated that Boyd performed intimate examinations unnecessarily and driven by his own sexual desires.
Ghotra emphasised his awareness of the vulnerability of paediatric patients and accused him of exploiting his trusted position.
She argued that because of the seriousness of his actions, removal from practice was necessary to protect patients and uphold professional standards.
While Boyd showed some reflection in his evidence, the panel noted he continued to attempt justifications for his actions.
In light of the findings, the hospital has improved its chaperone procedures, ensuring that a registered professional chaperone is present during all examinations involving children.
