A Christian nurse who claimed she was unfairly sacked for “offering spiritual comfort to her patients” has had her case dismissed.

Sarah Kuteh, 48, worked at Darent Valley Hospital in Dartford and was ordered to leave her post following a series of patient complaints about her conduct.

In December she presented a claim to an employment tribunal.

The tribunal heard that Mrs Kuteh, a committed Christian, faced a “cross” patient complaint after she asked her “what she thought Easter was about.”

The same patient asked Mrs Kuteh to stop “because she wasn’t there to talk about religion.”

There was several other complaints including one patient’s request to not see Mrs Kuteh again as she did not like her preaching.

Eight complaints were made by “extremely vulnerable” patients facing surgery and the nursing sister was dismissed in August before being referred to the Nursing and Midwifery Council for disqualification proceedings.

One cancer patient said the nursing sister, who has 15 years’ experience, told him he would have a better chance of survival if he prayed to God.

Mrs Kuteh argued that under Article 9 of the Human Rights Act everyone has the right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion.

The tribunal however ruled in favour of the trust, stating Mrs Kuteh had not been unfairly dismissed.

A spokesperson for Darent Valley Hospital said: “Having heard and taken into consideration the cases for both parties, the independent employment tribunal has announced that it finds that the trust’s dismissal of Sarah Kuteh was fair.

“This case was never about religion. It related to professional nursing responsibilities behaviour and conduct in a public facing role and position of trust.

“We take no satisfaction in having dismissed her but must always act in the best interests of our patients and in accordance with professional codes of conduct"

MORE: Christian nurse Sarah Kuteh sacked after telling cancer patient he had better chance of survival if he prayed to God