A MENTAL health nurse working at a secure unit claimed pay for hours he had not worked, a disciplinary inquiry heard on Friday.

Learning disability nurse Kevin O'Farrell, 37, worked at the Crossways Unit, Wood Farm Road, Abbots Langley, a part of the Horizon NHS Trust.

The professional conduct committee of the Nursing and Midwifery Council heard Mr O'Farrell submitted timesheets on six dates between June 10 and October 23, 1999, that were inaccurate.

Les Trewin, Directorate Manager of Forensic Services for the trust, said that Crossways was a six bed, halfway house unit for clients who had been admitted either from the court or through special hospitals.

Mr Trewin said individuals completed their own timesheets which were then countersigned.

Mr Trewin said in November 1999 a timesheet for Mr O'Farrell was brought to his attention by care manager Sue Chang.

The timesheet showed two occasions in October that Mr O'Farrell had claimed extra hours and Mr Trewin discussed the matter with the Chief Executive, informing him he was carrying out an investigation.

On October 10 Mr O'Farrell had claimed he worked until 10pm when it was clear from 24 hour records that he left at 1.30pm.

On October 23 Mr O'Farrell claimed for 14 hours but records showed him being off duty all day.

Mr O'Farrell was suspended from duty during Mr Trewin's investigation and when a date for a disciplinary hearing was arranged, he failed to attend, also not showing up for two subsequent hearings.

Mr O'Farrell, who did not attend the hearing and was not represented, was found guilty of three allegations relating to September and October.

Striking Mr O'Farrell's name from the register with immediate effect, committee chair Mrs Catherine Warwick, said: "This committee takes the question of dishonesty extremely seriously and in the absence of any explanation proffered by him we have decided to remove his name from the register in the interests of public protection."

July 8, 2002 16:00