'Brilliant' nurse cleared of assaulting patient, 98, by helping her to stand up

Published 06th Oct 2009

Jessimol Patson was cleared of assault

A 'brilliant' nurse has walked free from court after she was cleared of assaulting a patient - by helping her stand up.

Jessimol Patson, 52, was charged after paramedics filled in a form raising concerns about her.

They objected to the method Mrs Patson used to help 98-year-old dementia sufferer Alice Wilson to her feet.

But Wirral Magistrates Court on Merseyside yesterday took just minutes to find her not guilty of assault.

The nurse's ordeal began last November when she called a GP to County Homes Nursing Home in Woodchurch, after the resident fell and broke her arm.

When paramedics were called they claimed Mrs Patson grabbed the elderly lady's injured arm to get her into a wheelchair.

The detail was reported on their patient referral form which came to the attention of her employers, resulting in a suspension.

With just two days left before the time limit for prosecution lapsed, she was then charged with assault.

Called to give evidence in front of a tearful Mrs Patson, fellow nurses Shirley Thomas and Angela Davies called her an 'excellent' and 'brilliant' professional with 27 years' experience.

They insisted that Mrs Patson had supported Ms Wilson's arm from underneath to stop it falling, supporting her back with her free hand as the patient stood up.

Her manager Oriel Wilson said: 'Jess is a dedicated nurse who goes the extra mile for people and I can't wait to have her back at work.'

Under cross examination paramedics Colin Barwise and Kevin Tuft were asked if they had discussed the case together, one replied 'yes' and the other 'no'.

It was also discovered Mr Tuft had failed to recall properly which nurse was assisting Mrs Patson.
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Mrs Patson was suspended by County Homes Nursing Home in Woodchurch, Wirral, following the paramedics' report

Defending, Louise Straw said: 'The defendant did nothing wrong. She's a caring nurse with a lot of experience and her only action was to offer support to the complainant, setting the process in motion which led to her treatment.'

Alice Wilson returned to the home later that year and has subsequently died.

After her name was cleared, and supported by her husband and sons, Mrs Patson said: 'This has been a really hard year but I knew I hadn't done anything wrong, professionally this was absolutely horrible.

'For all of this time I've been unable to do anything, while being suspended on full pay it's been not just a waste of money for my employers but a massive waste of money for the government.

'The investigation was not only unnecessary, it was very slow. I don't want to hold a grudge against anyone.

'My managers are already organising a meeting with me and all I want to do now is get back to work.'

A spokeswoman for County Homes said: 'The health and safety of our residents is paramount and we acted properly in reporting this matter to the authorities.

'We will now work with the safeguarding team and follow our internal policies to bring this matter to a conclusion.'

Source: ' Daily Mail '

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