Nurse on the run in South America

Sheila Grove, 48, formerly of Burnley, should have turned up yesterday at a professional disciplinary hearing in London to answer allegations about her behaviour at the Grange Nursing Home, Keighley Road, Colne, in June 2001.

But the Nursing and Midwifery Council was told investigators discovered she had gone into hiding after travelling to Argentina via Spain with her husband Brian when she went on a police wanted list after jumping bail on criminal charges in August 2001.

Bail was imposed after Grove was accused of assaulting vulnerable patients in the Midlands.

But she failed to attend Birmingham Magistrates Court in August 2001 and a warrant for her arrest was issued.

Yesterday the staff nurse should have faced accusations involving improper handling of patients' drugs at the Colne home and the abusive physical treatment of elderly residents.

But at the London hearing it was said she and her husband would only communicate via an e-mail address and had refused to say where they were living in Argentina.

It was revealed the nurse did not wish to return to nursing but she wanted time to prepare her defence to the allegations of misconduct she faces concerning her time the nursing home.

She had written that she believed the misconduct allegations were "trumped up" after she made complaints about conditions at the home.

Chairing the hearing, Prof Donald Pennington said 'reluctantly' the panel had decided to adjourn because the nurse expressed a desire to 'engage' in proceedings.

But he added that Mrs Grove would be made the subject of an interim suspension order banning her from working as a nurse in this country.

"From the perspective of public protection, the committee regards the allegations over the administration of drugs and treatment of patients at the nursing home to be serious," he said.

"There is no prejudice to the respondent, because by her response, through her husband, she has stated she has not renewed her registration and she appears to have no intention of nursing again."

David Glendinning, for the NMC, said Mrs Grove was no longer at her registered address in Lancashire but an inquiry agent had traced the nurse's mother-in-law in Kent.

He said the nurse was sent the notice of inquiry through this point of contact and electronic correspondence resulted.

"Yesterday an e-mail was received from Mr Grove setting out a number of points.

"He refers to a lack of time to prepare a defence," said Mr Glendinning.

The solicitor said the charges related to incidents in 2001 but the NMC's own investigation was delayed by police involvement.

"She failed to attend Birmingham Magistrates Court in August 2001 and a warrant for her arrest was issued and is still outstanding," he said.

Mr Glendinning told the hearing that last September Grove was sent the details of disciplinary charges she faces - but by that time she was in Spain.

He admitted it was for the committee to decide whether the nurse had 'sufficient time' to prepare a defence, which could be submitted in writing. Mr Glendinning accepted that Mrs Grove had not seen statements made against her by former colleagues at the home.

But he called for an immediate suspension, adding: "They are serious allegations faced by Mrs Grove."

Mr Glendinning added: "She has blatantly refused to give an address at which she may be contacted.

"She is in breach of a bench warrant for her arrest issued by magistrates in Birmingham.

"In my respectful submission, all her actions up until today's date show an unwillingness to abide by the obligations placed on a nurse."

He added: "It is appropriate in the circumstances, for the protection of the public, to consider interim suspension."

In February this year the seven allegations in relation to her work at the Colne home were said to involve maladministration of drugs, leaving potted up medicine lying around, pushing and roughly handling residents and sleeping while on duty.

Yesterday a spokesman for Four Seasons Health Care said: "The allegations against this ex-employee date back to 2001. They were prior to Four Seasons Health Care's management of The Grange Care Home in Colne.

"Four Seasons did not take up ownership of the care home until spring 2002."

A Home Office spokesman said that although there was an extradition treaty with Argentina it was unlikely a person would be extradited on a assault charge.

Yesterday the committee urged that the case be heard within three months. A panel must decide whether to extend the bar on registration.