Nurse Disbarred for “Drowned at Birth” Comment and Patient Misconduct

A mental health nurse has been removed from the professional register after making remarks such as “I would’ve drowned her at birth” and “take her to the vets and get her put down” concerning vulnerable individuals under her care. Kathleen Alexandra Warmington received a striking-off order from the Nursing & Midwifery Council due to her engagement in serious misconduct. The community mental health practitioner, employed in Northamptonshire, acknowledged uttering multiple “inappropriate comments” during the period spanning August to November 2022. An initial 18-month suspension was imposed on her, which is set to be converted into a permanent suspension; however, she retains the right to appeal this decision. During the hearing, it was revealed that Mrs. Warmington’s behavior became problematic following numerous remarks she directed towards both patients and colleagues. Regarding one service user, she commented, “take her to the vets and get her put down,” and additionally asserted that another individual needed “to get a grip.” The nurse, possessing two decades of experience in the mental health field, referred to a different patient as a “naughty girl” and further implied that the patient was fortunate to receive her medication. Furthermore, she informed another individual that “being miserable is a choice” and declared “I’m not a fan of that” during a conversation about ADHD with a patient. The nurse conveyed to a different colleague, “if she were my daughter, I would’ve drowned her at birth,” in relation to an individual for whom she held care responsibilities. On a separate occasion, she instructed a colleague to “kiss my white a**” – a remark she later described as “banter” intended to facilitate her integration after transferring from a private hospital. Lastly, Mrs. Warmington proposed that a patient could be admitted to a crisis house, despite this action not being deemed clinically suitable. Subsequent to being informed that such an admission would not be authorized, she falsely informed the user that no beds were accessible at the crisis house. The panel determined that Mrs. Warmington’s capacity to practice was compromised, that she had engaged in misconduct, and that her conduct had exposed patients to an “unwanted risk of harm.” The Northamptonshire Healthcare Foundation Trust has been approached for a statement. For updates on Norfolk news, follow BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram, and X. Copyright 2024 BBC. All rights reserved. The BBC disclaims responsibility for the material found on external websites. Information regarding our external linking policy is available for review.