Courts / Dublin / Report
Male nurse who contacted female patient on Whatsapp and Facebook found guilty of professional misconduct
Summary
In a 2017 case, Gilbert Hategekimana, an agency nurse at Dublin's Mater hospital, was found guilty of professional misconduct after contacting a 24‑year‑old female patient, Patient A, via WhatsApp and Facebook. He had taken her mobile number and address from her patient file and sent her messages, called her, and sent a friend request. Patient A, a primary school teacher with Type 1 diabetes, reported feeling frightened and violated, fearing the nurse might visit her home. She testified that he had spoken to her briefly on the night of 3 October 2015 while she was receiving care. Hategekimana admitted to the misconduct and to non‑compliance with the nursing code of conduct. Sanctions were to be decided later. The nurse's lawyer expressed remorse on his behalf, stating he recognised his mistake and pledged it would not recur.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Male nurse who contacted female patient on Whatsapp and Facebook found guilty of professional misconduct. Procedural stage: hearing_or_decision
When:
- October 3, 2015 Other
- 14 October 2015 Other
- 20 October 2015 Other
- 3 October 2015 Other
- October 2012 Incident
- 2017-07-08 Publication
Why: Patient A said that after she received the friend request on Facebook and phone call from the nurse she felt even more violated at this stage "because then I knew he had my full name. CNI source report
Places mentioned
Topics
Social Media Stage Hearing Or Decision
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