Shropshire nurse talked about Ann Summers sex aids on hospital ward - claim
A nurse who moonlighted as an Ann Summers representative discussed sex products on a neonatal ward, a hearing was told.
Susan Garbett is accused of flaunting details of an intimate cream from the adult store with her colleague at the Royal Shrewsbury Hospital.
The nurse was also caught feeding a premature baby chocolate buttercream icing from her finger behind his mother's back, the Nursing and Midwifery Council heard yesterday.
Gemma Kingswell, for the NMC, said Garbett openly chatted about "sex-related products" to Lynn Woodward, one of the sisters on the neonatal ward in November 2011.
"Ms Woodward will say that Ms Garbett worked as an Ann Summers representative in her spare time," said Ms Kingswell.
"While she was in that room, Ms Woodward will say that Ms Garbett was discussing Ann Summers products with another nurse who was on duty.
"She will also say that there was a young doctor present – a male doctor."
The ward was open 24 hours to parents, and Garbett's explicit comments could have been overheard by anyone, it was said.
Garbett admitted she worked for Ann Summers during an investigatory interview, but has made no formal admissions to the charges at the central London tribunal which she has chosen not to attend.
Garbett also admitted in interview she fed a baby chocolate icing from her finger.
"The evidence comes from Ms A who is baby A's mother and Hannah Johnson – another nurse at the neonatal unit and again Lynn Woodward. Baby A was a premature baby. He had problems swallowing and he had also been diagnosed with reflux."
The baby's mother had turned her back to prepare some rice, the panel heard.
"Ms A felt the behaviour was unacceptable and she wrote a letter of complaint."
The nurse admitted her actions in the investigatory interview, the panel heard.
Garbett is also accused of inappropriately accepting a gift of cinema tickets from a mother of a second baby and giving the mother her mobile number to send the ticket details to.
A fourth allegation that she left children in her care unattended twice on the July, 28, 2012 was admitted in internal interview.
If the panel finds her guilty of misconduct, the most severe sanction she can receive is to be struck-off the register.
The hearing continues.
