Therapist's relationship with patient 'professional suicide'

AN OCCUPATIONAL therapist accused of having a sexual relationship with a "vulnerable" patient faces being struck off for gross misconduct.

Lynn Cameron, who was reprimanded for a similar incident earlier in her career, could be removed from the Health Professions Council (HPC) register after it was alleged she had an ongoing sexual relationship with a man previously under her care.

The 25-year-old man – known as Patient A – was described to the HPC as being a "vulnerable and complex case", and it is alleged that Ms Cameron's actions "fell well below the expectations one would have of dedicated health professionals".

Her former manager told the hearing Ms Cameron's actions were "professional suicide".

It is alleged that the relationship began shortly after Patient A's care was passed to another department within NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde in June 2007.

Ms Cameron was seconded to South West Bridging Services, from the Rossdale Resource Centre in Glasgow, where she became the sole occupational therapist.

She was subjected to an investigatory hearing by the NHS trust shortly after details emerged about her relationship with Patient A, and was dismissed from the post in September 2008.

Giving evidence to the hearing yesterday, Mairi Macpherson, Ms Cameron's line manager, recalled being told of the relationship in November 2007 by Ms Cameron.

Ms Macpherson said she recalled having a similar conversation with Ms Cameron in 2003, over "flirtatious behaviour" with another service user, and said Ms Cameron was moved to a different department for a "fresh start".

Ms Macpherson said: "At that time, Ms Cameron seemed to understand that such a relationship would be forbidden. So when she called me on the morning of 29 November, informing me she was in a relationship with Patient A, I was appalled … My first thought was that she had committed professional suicide."

The hearing is expected to conclude today.