KULJEET DRUBRA FROM LOWESTOFT INVOLVED IN SHOCKING NURSE SCANDAL AT NORFOLK HOSPITALS

In a disturbing case that has sent shockwaves through the healthcare community, Kuljeet Drubra, a nurse formerly based in Lowestoft, has been found guilty of serious misconduct involving the exploitation of vulnerable patients. The incident dates back to the early 2000s, with the most recent criminal convictions occurring in 2012, but the repercussions of his actions continue to resonate today.

Drubra, who worked in various hospitals across Norfolk, was convicted in 2012 at Ipswich Crown Court on multiple charges, including voyeurism, possession of indecent images of children, and possession of extreme pornography. The court sentenced him to a three-year community order, a sex offenders prevention order, and mandated his registration on the sex offenders register for five years. These grave penalties reflect the severity of his offenses and the breach of trust inherent in his role as a healthcare professional.

The troubling revelations emerged during a disciplinary hearing conducted by the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC). It was revealed that Drubra had been in possession of numerous indecent and inappropriate images of hospital patients, with the earliest instances dating back to 2003. These images, which included photographs of patients with various parts of their bodies exposed, were discovered on a disk found at his residence at the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital following his arrest in 2011. The police had initially seized the disk during an unrelated investigation, but it later became central to the case against him.

During the NMC hearing, senior registered nurses examined the images and provided testimony that left the panel shocked and distressed. They confirmed that the photographs lacked any clinical or educational purpose and did not serve any legitimate medical function. The background of the images suggested they were taken in high-dependency hospital units, such as accident and emergency departments, operating theatres, recovery rooms, or intensive care units. This detail underscored the breach of professional conduct and the violation of patient privacy and dignity.

Further investigations revealed that Drubra had taken these photographs in various Norfolk hospitals over a span of several years. The NMC panel concluded that his conduct demonstrated deep-seated personality and attitudinal problems, which posed a significant risk to public safety. The panel emphasized that if Drubra remained on the nursing register, the public would not be adequately protected from his harmful behavior.

In June 2012, following the investigation, Drubra was dismissed from his position for gross misconduct. The NMC subsequently found that he had been in possession of multiple indecent images of hospital patients between 2003 and October 2011. The seriousness of his actions led to a decision in July to strike him off the nursing register entirely. The hearing chairman, Andrew Coleman, stated that Drubra’s conduct demonstrated harmful and deeply ingrained attitudinal issues, and that his continued registration would pose a danger to the public.

Prior to these disciplinary measures, Drubra had already been serving a three-year community order for a series of sex offenses, including indecent assaults, voyeurism, and making indecent images of a child. He was also placed on the sex offenders register and ordered to participate in the Thames Valley Offenders Group Work Programme. Currently residing in Buckinghamshire, Drubra’s criminal record and professional misconduct have cast a long shadow over his career, which previously spanned Norfolk, Suffolk, and Cambridgeshire.

This case highlights the ongoing concerns about safeguarding and the importance of rigorous oversight within the healthcare sector. The NMC’s decision to remove Drubra from the register underscores the commitment to protecting patients and maintaining public trust in medical professionals.