Nurse deregistered for relationship with girl

A Bay of Plenty nurse has been found guilty of professional misconduct, had his registration cancelled, ordered to pay more than $16,000 in costs and censured for a relationship with 14-year old patient.

The Health Practitioners Disciplinary Tribunal found that between January and March 2007 Te Puke nurse David Dawson, 58 at the time, entered into a relationship with the girl he met in the children's ward at Rotorua Hospital, where he worked.

Though it was not a physical relationship, he sent her sexually explicit cards and text messages, gave her flowers and made a number of phone calls to her.

Dawson also sent her gifts of money placed into her mother's bank account. Witnesses, including members of the girl's family gave evidence that Dawson persisted in continuing the relationship, even after they had asked him to stop.

At the time of the events, the girl was considered to be very vulnerable because of her young age, her ADHD and intellectual disability.

Dawson then travelled to Saudi Arabia for work in March 2007.

Before he left he was spoken to by police warning him about his actions and expressing concern that someone of his age was pursuing any type of relationship with a 14-year-old.

Despite the reprimand, Dawson continued to send letters and gifts from Saudi Arabia declaring that he loved her. The tribunal found him guilty of professional misconduct, cancelled his registraion, censured him and ordered him to pay a total of $16,560 in costs.

- NZPA