JOHN DUNN FROM GLENROTHES STRIPPED OF NURSING LICENCE OVER ABUSIVE BEHAVIOUR AT STRATHEDEN HOSPITAL

A nurse from Glenrothes, Fife, has been permanently disqualified from practicing in the nursing profession following serious allegations of verbal abuse and derogatory comments directed at elderly dementia patients. The disciplinary proceedings took place at a Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) hearing held in Edinburgh, which lasted four days and brought to light disturbing accounts of misconduct during his time working at a specialized dementia ward in Strathedeen Hospital, Fife.

During the hearing, former colleagues of John Dunn recounted how he engaged in verbal abuse towards vulnerable patients over two separate shifts in January 2014. Witnesses described instances where Dunn referred to elderly patients with derogatory terms such as “retards,” “vegetables,” and “pigs,” revealing a pattern of disrespect and cruelty. One colleague testified that when a patient interrupted Dunn, he responded with a callous remark, saying, “Come on, let’s deal with this vegetable,” illustrating his dismissive attitude towards those under his care.

Further testimonies detailed how Dunn made offensive comments about other patients, including calling a patient with advanced and aggressive dementia a “f****** retard,” and describing another as a “little b***** patient” and comparing them to an animal. In addition to verbal insults, witnesses reported that Dunn physically poked a patient in the ear “to wind them up,” an act that raised serious concerns about his treatment of vulnerable individuals.

Throughout the proceedings, evidence was presented showing that Dunn’s conduct not only harmed the patients but also brought the nursing profession into disrepute. The panel was informed that Dunn had started working at the ward just a few months prior to these incidents. The evidence was compelling enough for the panel to conclude that his behavior was unfit for practice and posed a risk to patient safety.

Following a thorough review of the evidence, the NMC panel decided that the only appropriate sanction was to strike Dunn off the register permanently. This decision was made to protect the wider public interest and uphold the integrity of the nursing profession. John Dunn was dismissed from his position in July 2014, approximately six months after the abusive incidents took place, marking a definitive end to his nursing career in light of his misconduct.