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| Male nurse 'abused' 23 patients | Male nurse 'abused' 23 patients |
| (11 minutes later) | |
| Inadequate management allowed a "predatory" male nurse to manipulate 23 women patients into sexual relationships, an inquiry has found. | Inadequate management allowed a "predatory" male nurse to manipulate 23 women patients into sexual relationships, an inquiry has found. |
| David Britten, 54, joined Westminster Council's eating disorder service as a nurse in 1980 and became a manager at Peter Dally Clinic in 1996. | David Britten, 54, joined Westminster Council's eating disorder service as a nurse in 1980 and became a manager at Peter Dally Clinic in 1996. |
| Claims of sexual misconduct by patients emerged after his dismissal from the clinic in 2002 over unrelated issues. | Claims of sexual misconduct by patients emerged after his dismissal from the clinic in 2002 over unrelated issues. |
| The NHS launched an inquiry in 2006 to look into how he escaped detection. | The NHS launched an inquiry in 2006 to look into how he escaped detection. |
| 'Grooming' patients | 'Grooming' patients |
| The inquiry was originally commissioned by North West London Strategic Health Authority which is now NHS London. | The inquiry was originally commissioned by North West London Strategic Health Authority which is now NHS London. |
| The investigators blamed poor management, missed opportunities and the reluctance of his victims to come forward as the reasons for Mr Britten "grooming vulnerable patients" over a period of 20 years. | The investigators blamed poor management, missed opportunities and the reluctance of his victims to come forward as the reasons for Mr Britten "grooming vulnerable patients" over a period of 20 years. |
| The report described Mr Britten as a "manipulative predator who represented a clear danger to women". | The report described Mr Britten as a "manipulative predator who represented a clear danger to women". |
| As a nurse and a midwife, I am appalled by David Britten's actions and that they went unchecked for so long Chief Nurse Trish Morris-Thompson | As a nurse and a midwife, I am appalled by David Britten's actions and that they went unchecked for so long Chief Nurse Trish Morris-Thompson |
| Alison McKenna, who led the inquiry, said: "The effect of David Britten's abuse of these vulnerable women cannot be overestimated. | Alison McKenna, who led the inquiry, said: "The effect of David Britten's abuse of these vulnerable women cannot be overestimated. |
| "David Britten was a specialist in eating disorders and would have known that affected individuals can be very compliant and eager to please. | "David Britten was a specialist in eating disorders and would have known that affected individuals can be very compliant and eager to please. |
| "He deliberately targeted vulnerable patients, grooming them for his own sexual gratification". | "He deliberately targeted vulnerable patients, grooming them for his own sexual gratification". |
| The former manager has not faced any criminal charges, as the Criminal Prosecution Service said there was insufficient evidence. | |
| 'Lessons' learnt | |
| Apologising on behalf of NHS London, chief nurse Trish Morris-Thompson said: "As a nurse and a midwife, I am appalled by David Britten's actions and that they went unchecked for so long. | Apologising on behalf of NHS London, chief nurse Trish Morris-Thompson said: "As a nurse and a midwife, I am appalled by David Britten's actions and that they went unchecked for so long. |
| "He abused not just these women but also his position of professional trust". | "He abused not just these women but also his position of professional trust". |
| She added: "This report has lessons for NHS organisations around the country and it is my job to ensure that the lessons are widely disseminated. They will be." | |
| The report said although the NHS took appropriate steps and dismissed Mr Britten, the Nursing and Midwifery Council failed to suspend or strike him off the nursing register until 2004, despite the sex claims against him since 2002. | |
| In 2001, Peter Dally Clinic closed after it was taken over by the Central and North West London Mental Health Trust and sexual allegations against Mr Britten emerged. | |
| A new eating disorder service was opened a year later with new staff. |