**Children’s Hospice Nurse Struck Off After ‘Deplorable’ Behaviour Towards Vulnerable Children**
A registered nurse has been banned from the profession following what a disciplinary panel described as “cruel, degrading and sexual” acts inflicted on children under her care at a respected Welsh hospice.
The disciplinary hearing found that Karen Elizabeth Allen, formerly employed at Tŷ Hafan Children’s Hospice in Sully, Vale of Glamorgan, engaged in behaviour that placed children at serious risk of physical and emotional harm. In a damning verdict, the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) panel said her actions had brought disrepute to the nursing profession and she had shown no meaningful understanding of the severity of her misconduct.
The case centred around a number of incidents involving highly vulnerable children, including one non-verbal young person “bound to a wheelchair”. Testimony provided by a colleague described how Allen “flicked” the child’s penis, an act regarded by the panel not only without clinical justification but also sexual in nature. Another deeply concerning charge found proven involved Allen subjecting a child to repeated “wedgies”, forcibly pulling their underwear up in a manner that was clearly uncomfortable.
Further testimony revealed Allen would routinely soak the same non-verbal child with water, continuing the activity even after the child had shown signs of discomfort and following changes into dry clothes. The child, unable to communicate verbally, was described as utterly defenceless and reliant on others for all basic needs.
One healthcare worker explained to the panel the internal conflict staff felt about speaking out, citing fears of not being believed and concern for their own positions within the hospice. “She’s a nurse. Were people going to believe me?” the witness asked, revealing a possible culture of reticence that may have delayed the safeguarding process.
Upon being confronted with complaints, Allen denied any intentional harm. In evidence given at the hearing, she claimed any tugging at a child’s clothing was meant as gentle playfulness and that the child never indicated distress. She also insisted water play was enjoyed by those involved, but the committee was unconvinced, particularly in light of a lack of insight or remorse shown by Allen during proceedings.
The NMC made it clear in its findings that the safeguarding culture within the hospice at the time was “not very good”, raising concerns regarding the ability of staff to recognise and report abuse or inappropriate behaviour. The gravity of Allen’s misconduct—the panel said—meant that any sanction short of striking her off was insufficient to uphold public confidence in healthcare.
Allegations that Allen had also thrown food at or straddled a child were not found proven, nor were suggestions that some of her conduct was intended to bully a colleague or deliberately make an uncomfortable work environment for staff. However, the allegations considered most serious, involving the abuse of power and trust over highly vulnerable children, met the threshold of misconduct warranting a professional ban.
In response to the case’s conclusion, Irfon Rees, chief executive of Tŷ Hafan, stressed that the hospice had since conducted a thorough internal review and improved its safeguarding processes. “While we do not comment on individual cases involving children, we can confirm allegations of misconduct against a former member of staff have been proven and acted upon,” he said. Rees added that the hospice worked closely with local authorities and regulatory bodies to ensure a comprehensive response, and recent inspections had recognised improvements made in their safeguarding practices.
The NMC imposed an interim suspension on Allen’s registration for 18 months to allow time for any possible appeal. Should she decline to appeal, this will be replaced by a permanent striking-off order 28 days after the written decision is received.
The distressing revelations have prompted renewed conversations across the sector about the importance of robust reporting cultures, regular safeguarding training and ensuring all staff feel able to raise concerns without fear of reprisal. The safety, dignity and wellbeing of children in hospice care remains, now more than ever, a clear and undoubted priority.