Caution for nurse who had sex with patient

He was a senior nurse at the Waterfoot Health Centre, Cowpe Road, Waterfoot, when he went back to 'patient A's' house for sex just six hours after meeting her at an appointment.

But he avoided being kicked out of his profession and was issued with a five-year caution following the hearing in London.

The hearing had been told that the couple embarked on a three-month affair before patient A tried to break it off with Seeley.

She reported him to the surgery after becoming concerned about his state of mind,' the hearing was told.

After admitting the relationship Seeley told bosses the patient had made sexual advances towards him.

Waterfoot Health Centre have allowed Seeley to continue working at the centre despite his admissions.

Salim Hafejee, for the GMC, said the nurse asked the patient for a date during an appointment on March 18, 2005, and six hours later they were having sex.

"The patient stated that later that evening the registrant (Seeley) went to her house and they had sexual intercourse," Mr Hafejee said.

After trying to end the affair, patient A called the surgery on May 9, 2005, to report the relationship.

Mr Hafejee said: "The patient stated that she tried to end the relationship with the registrant on two occasions and had become concerned about his state of mind.

"She stated that she felt attracted to the registrant in their early meetings at the surgery and felt he was somebody that she could talk to about her problems.

"She explained at the time she was getting over a violent marriage."

The patient also told a senior doctor at he surgery that the nurse had not taken advantage of her and that "the attraction was mutual."

During a disciplinary hearing Seeley admitted all the allegations against him and said he "fully understood the seriousness of his actions".

Mr Hafejee told the panel: "He stated it was true he had a relationship with a patient and expressed deep regret.

"In mitigation he stated he had been under a great deal of stress in his private life."

Seeley, who was also working for the local primary care trust, said he had made a "huge mistake" by having the affair.

"The registrant maintained that it was the patient who had initiated the contact and the sexual relationship," Mr Hafejee said.

Seeley, of Keighley, West Yorkshire, admitted having an inappropriate relationship with patient A between March 17 and May 10, 2005.

Seeley has also admitted his fitness to practice is impaired.

Dr Denise Docherty, a partner at Waterfoot Health Centre, and Seeley's boss since 2001, told the panel Seeley had 30 years experience in the field and was "extremely talented".

She said: "At the time he was an extremely enthusiastic, dedicated, energetic and caring medical professional.

Dr Docherty explained she decided to keep Seeley on at the surgery so they could "scrutinise his performance" and said his work since the complaint came to light had been appropriate and professional.

The panel ruled that Seeley's fitness to practice was impaired by reason of his misconduct.

Panel chairwoman, Val Morrison, said: "Although in the agreed statement we have heard references to a comment that the registrant had not taken advantage of the patient, that the attraction was mutual and that they were both consenting adults, the panel has borne in mind that this is not an excuse.'"

She said the nature of the allegation against him amounted to misconduct.

But it was concluded that Seeley's previous good history' and his genuine and heartfelt' expressions of regret were enough to allow him to continue in the profession.

Handing him a caution for five years, Mrs Morrison said: "The registrant has a previous good history in the career spanning 30 years.

"He admitted his misconduct at an early stage and he did not seek to excuse his behaviour.

"He has displayed obvious remorse and his expressions of regret are genuine and heartfelt.

Seeley burst into tears and wept as the ruling was announced.