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Thomas O’Handley, 18043298
Facts
The Member admitted that he engaged in professional misconduct. In October 2019, while assigned to provide care to a patient, the Member made remarks of a sexual nature towards the patient via text message. After the patient was discharged, the Member attended at the patient’s home in a personal capacity and made additional remarks of a sexual nature while assisting the patient shower. The Member also shared personal information about himself with the patient. The patient was shaken by the interactions and felt vulnerable given the Member’s explicit comments.
Discipline Committee’s Findings
Based on the Member’s admissions, a panel of the Discipline Committee of the College of Nurses of Ontario (the “Panel”) found that the Member:
- sexually abused a patient;
- contravened a standard of practice of the profession or failed to meet the standards of practice of the profession; and
- engaged in conduct or performed an act, relevant to the practice of nursing, that, having regard to all the circumstances, would reasonably be regarded by members as disgraceful, dishonourable and unprofessional.
Discipline Committee’s Order
The College of Nurses of Ontario (“CNO”) and the Member presented the Panel with a Joint Submission on Order requesting that the Panel make an order that included the following:
- an oral reprimand;
- a 5-month suspension; and
- terms, conditions and limitations including:
- attending 2 meetings with a Regulatory Expert;
- employer notification for 18 months; and
- no independent practice for 12 months.
The Panel accepted the Joint Submission on Order, concluding that the proposed order was reasonable and in the public interest. The Panel noted that the Member cooperated with CNO and accepted responsibility by agreeing to the facts and the proposed order.
The Panel further noted that this order will send a message to the Member and the profession that this type of conduct is unacceptable and will not be tolerated.
