Bimbo Paden, 39, has admitted using surgical tape to assault brain haemorrhage sufferer Kevin Quinn in St John’s Hospital
A nurse who taped the mouth of a vulnerable patient was suffering from “stress fatigue and on-going anxiety”, a court heard today.
Bimbo Paden, 39, has admitted using surgical tape to assault brain haemorrhage sufferer Kevin Quinn in St John’s Hospital.
But Sligo District Court today heard Paden was working in a stressful and poorly-staffed environment before the incident on June 26 last year.
The court was told Paden put the tape over 49-year-old Mr Quinn’s mouth because he was shouting at a patient who was suffering from throat cancer.
Paden, of River Road, Sligo, said he had tried to quieten Mr Quinn but accepted full responsibility for his actions.
The nurse added he was under “particular stress” as the hospital was short-staffed and he felt under a lot of extra pressure.
Paden told psychiatrist Dr Patricia Noone he felt guilty and highly remorseful afterwards but had no explanation for his actions.
The Filipino national said: “There is no excuse for my behaviour. It was totally wrong and totally out of character.”
The court heard Paden had worked in the long-term care facility for 12 years and no previous complaints had been made against him.
He has been off work since the incident and found difficulty in sleeping at night.
The defendant also feared leaving his home as he was worried people in the area would be angry or abusive towards him.
Referring to staffing levels at the hospital, Dr Noone reported: “It was not a safe or reasonable workplace and it would have contributed to Nurse Paden’s stress on the day.
“It would be a severe blow to this man if he were to lose his capacity to work as a nurse.”
Judge Kevin Kilrane adjourned sentencing until April 24 for reports.
Source-Irish Mirror
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