A nurse who stripped and dragged a mental health patient into the shower has been suspended from nursing for five years.
Francis Logan, known as Richard, has been suspended for five years after admitting to multiple allegations, including using unnecessary and unsafe physical force towards an involuntary patient at Bendigo Health Hospital.
He also dragged the female patient, a former victim of sexual assault, to a shower and forcibly undressed her as well as swearing at her – despite her request that she be only treated by female staff.
During that altercation, in July 2020, Mr Logan yelled at the woman “I’m not putting up with this f***ing bullshit”.
Mr Logan is 70 and will not return to nursing.
Bendigo Health terminated Mr Logan’s employment in August 2020 after it concluded its investigation of his conduct and notified the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia.
The Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal found his five-year suspension, which began when he handed over his registration in August 2021, was fair and reasonable.
“We were satisfied that the five-year disqualification period sought by the board was appropriate to reflect the nature and gravity of the conduct,” VCAT senior member Elizabeth Wentworth said of the decision.
“(And) the need to deter others from engaging in similar conduct; to protect the reputation of the profession; and to maintain professional standards.”
The Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia suspended Mr Logan’s registration under its immediate action powers in September 2020 and subsequently accepted the retrospective surrender of his registration effective from August 23, 2021.
While Mr Logan didn’t excuse his conduct, he said he was experiencing severe stress at the time, primarily the death of his mother and the end of his 35-year marriage.
Mr Logan now volunteers with St Vincent De Paul on a weekly basis.
He is not able to provide health services, whether on a public, private or volunteer basis, during his suspension.