A nurse from Abrantes was suspended from work for ill-treatment and filming patients

The Board of Directors (CA) of the local health unit of the Medio Tejo (ULS) announced this evening the suspension and criminal prosecution of a nurse at the Abrantes Hospital for “filming particularly vulnerable patients without consent” with “associated ill-treatment”. .

In a statement, ULS Médio Tejo, based in Torres Novas (Santarem), said it received on Tuesday “an anonymous complaint by email containing several files containing illegal video materials, without the consent or knowledge of users who are not aware of it” . to be in captivity.”

In these films, he argues, “completely reprehensible acts are committed against particularly vulnerable patients, calling into question the respect and dignity of the human person, as well as the deontology inherent in the noble mission of providing health care.”

In this sense, ULS states, “the priority over the last 24 hours has been to identify the author of the images, entrust disciplinary proceedings and suspension, and entrust the entire criminal process to the Office of the Public Prosecutor (PP)” with due “involvement to the judiciary on the illegal video recording of acts committed against vulnerable users by a healthcare professional from ULS Médio Tejo.”

In the same note, the CA states that it is “deeply shocked and disturbed by the contents of the filming,” which it says “through careful review, it has been determined that it was conducted at least three years ago.” in various workplaces and hospitalization in the department of the Abrantes Hospital.”

According to the same note, “the review of the resulting images together with the heads of the institution also made it possible to identify at least one nurse from the Abrantes ULS Médio Tejo unit involved in these criminal acts.”

The CA also indicates that “as soon as these anonymous complaints were received, at approximately 21:16 on April 10, Wednesday, the same night, an emergency meeting was held” and measures were taken, including “the immediate suspension from work of the specialist indicated into the staff of the establishment.”

In addition to the removal of the employee, it was decided to “initiate disciplinary proceedings against the specialist identified for the purpose of dismissal, informing the Order of Nurses about the opening of this procedure,” and “delivery of all received materials to the public.” Prosecutor’s Office” and “filing a complaint with the competent judicial authorities” while ensuring “full cooperation with the authorities in the investigation” of the case.

Noting that the institution’s “mission is to ensure the safety and well-being of its users,” ULS “strongly condemns any form of abuse or neglect inflicted on those under its care and custody,” sending an apology request to users. .

“It is therefore necessary to offer a sincere apology to the users and a word to the community served by the Facility: the behavior demonstrated by this professional in no way reflects the work performed by the medical professionals of the Facility,” you can read in the same note

He adds that ULS CA is “actively working to identify the users who were victims of these completely unacceptable acts captured on video, and is committed to providing all necessary support to the victims and their families.”

While acknowledging the “seriousness” of the situation, the CA “reiterates its apology for the distress caused, also pointing out that “while the images have been determined to have been taken approximately three years ago, prior to the administration of the current CA, it will act vigorously, to apply the sanctions that need to be taken, regardless of who is harmed.”

In conclusion, ULS Médio Tejo states that it is also “committed to ensuring that this type of situation never happens again, taking the matter to its final consequences,” as well as “working to strengthen security procedures and strengthen the training of its health professionals.”