Medway Hospital nurse will not face charges for cutting a patient during shaving

A nurse accused of assaulting a stroke victim at Medway Maritime Hospital will not face prosecution.

Investigations began after 78-year-old Thomas Gregg was left with multiple cuts to his face after allegedly being shaved by a member of staff.

thomas greggMr Gregg, of Thorndike Close, Chatham was admitted to the Gillingham hospital’s critical stroke unit after suffering a stroke in October.

On October 27, his son Bill, from Maidstone, visited his father in hospital and found him with multiple cuts across his face. He immediately put in a complaint to the police but has now been told the nurse in question will not be charged.

He said: “I think it’s absolutely disgusting that somebody in a position of trust and care can do that to an old age pensioner who is a critical stroke victim and cannot communicate.”

Police took a statement from Bill Gregg and said they would be following further lines of inquiry but now the case has been dropped.

Mr Gregg said: “I will be pursuing a civil prosecution. I will also be pursuing complaints against Kent Police and Medway Maritime Hospital. These people have put me and my family through hell.”

A spokesman for Medway Maritime Hospital said an internal investigation is being carried out.

 

Tuesday, November 17 2009

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Visitor Comments

  • Shaving a stroke victim

    11/17/2009 2:22:31 PM
    by Tony

    What a shame this mans son take out his anger not only on the nurses but also now on the police and the hospital. As an experienced nurse of 20+ years I can say that shaving someone else with 'safety razors' is very difficult. I'd also ask questions regarding the dignity of this gentleman and his son releasing a picture of his father to the press.

  • Outrageous

    11/17/2009 4:50:56 PM
    by AJ

    If you can't shave a man's face without cutting it, then you shouldn't be doing it in the first place. It should have been the nurses responsibility to cease shaving him as soon as she drew blood. I completely understand this mans anger. It is appalling enough for a family member to become a victim of stroke, but for them to then sustain injury as a result of a nurse's incompetence and a hospital's failure to care is outrageous. Invest in some better SAFETY razors Medway! Or get the barbers in.

  • Have you tried shaving someone else's face?

    11/17/2009 6:07:52 PM
    by AEK

    If you had, you'd know how difficult it is! Lets be honest this isn't what any of would want for our loved one but a few nicks are not a criminal assault. I too agree that placing his fathers picture in the news suggests a lack of respect.

  • Disgusted!!!

    11/17/2009 7:25:04 PM
    by Paul Verrill

    I am disgusted. I worked for the NHS and the razors they issue are cheap rubbish which will cut anything they're not supposed to. I agree, get some safe electric razors which wouldn't cut butter!!! Can I say to the son - 'If you have a problem, DO IT YOURSELF!!!'

  • Outrageous

    11/17/2009 8:29:14 PM
    by Rachel

    This man has every right to show his anger. It may not be the easiest task , that is understandable but that many cuts is just not on!!Hospital staff are under alot of pressure and there are not enough staff for hospitals to be run how they should be but this still does not excuse this poor mans face. I am sure this patient and his family would rather he had more facial hair than normal than this. I totally understand the sons anger, I would be the same.

  • Shaving a stroke victim

    11/17/2009 9:51:06 PM
    by Paul Denby

    Why......of course its the Police fault. Everything is. Lets blame the police for the decline in water quality, the MPs theft, Global Warming, and the size of Wagon Wheels. They are certainly smaller than when I was a kid, and obviously the Police should have taken action on this long ago. This complaint is with the NHS and should stay that way!!!!! The picture shows some dried blood which if cleaned off would show minute cuts.

  • shaving daily

    11/18/2009 7:28:07 AM
    by John

    Give the nurses a break! If I shave every day, even with a brand-new razor, I look as though I've had an encounter with a chain-saw! It hurts a bit at first but once I've bathed or showered all is back to normal. If a nurse can shave me without cutting my face, I'd give her a medal!

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