Nurse Banned for False Sexual Assault Claim and Misconduct

Ruxandra Nicoleta Sarbut, a nurse formerly employed at Buckingham Lodge Care Home in Watton, Norfolk, has been removed from the nursing register. This action followed her false accusation of sexual assault against a colleague, whom she suspected of reporting concerns about her patient care. Ms. Sarbut informed senior staff that the individual she believed to be the whistleblower had touched her bottom. Prior to making this accusation, the nurse, described as “dishonest,” informed another colleague of her intention to falsely claim that the individual had sexually assaulted her, even though this was untrue. The Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) imposed a ban on Ms. Sarbut from practicing her profession, determining that her fitness to practice was compromised and that she had engaged in serious misconduct. Evidence presented to the panel indicated that the nurse lodged the false accusation in February 2023, subsequent to the Care Quality Commission (CQC) receiving a whistleblowing complaint concerning her behavior. The care home subsequently initiated an investigation into allegations that Ms. Sarbut had used inappropriate language directed at both residents and colleagues. The investigation also examined reports alleging that she had pushed residents, improperly administered sedative medication to residents, falsified records, and instructed other staff members to do the same. Upon learning of the complaint filed with the CQC, she proceeded with “intending to induce others to believe” that the colleague had sexually assaulted her. Her claims included that he had lifted her from the floor with his hands on her bottom and had touched her bottom. At a Nursing and Midwifery Council misconduct hearing, numerous allegations against Ms. Sarbut, predominantly pertaining to incidents occurring between November 2021 and January 2023, were substantiated as true. The hearing was informed that on one occasion, Ms. Sarbut shouted at a resident, telling them to “go back to bed you stupid man,” and referred to another resident as an “idiot.” Furthermore, she told a different resident that they were “only at the home to die,” prepared medication ahead of its scheduled time, and instructed untrained colleagues to administer medication. Ms. Sarbut also yelled at colleagues, informed them they were stupid, and stated to others that the residents “do my nut in.” The panel concluded that the nurse “lacked integrity” and had placed “multiple patients at risk of emotional harm,” leading to her indefinite ban, subject to her right to appeal the decision within 18 months.