A male nurse from Norbury, found guilty of molesting two female patients, has been struck off from the professional register.

Glovis Gandarillas, from Norton Gardens, was found guilty of three charges of misconduct at a hearing of the Professional Conduct Committee of the United Kingdom Central Council (UKCC) for Nursing, Midwifery and Health Visiting last Friday (November 30).

The offences occured in December 1998 while 53-year-old Gandarillas was employed as a staff nurse on the endoscopy unit at Chelsea and Westminster Hospital.

One woman accused him of bending down so that his face was close to her bottom and rubbing her lower stomach and back without any explanation.

The hearing heard how Gandarillas wiped menstrual blood from a second patient's legs against her wishes and stayed in a cubical with her when she told him to get out. The same woman was later groped by Gandarillas.

Liz McAnulty, UKCC Director of Professional Conduct, said: "Mr Gandarillas' behaviour towards his patients was totally unacceptable. There is no room in nursing for those who use the professional therapeutic relationship as an opportunity for their own gratification at the expense of patients.

"The UKCC makes no apology for taking a firm line with Mr Gandarillas and will do the same with any nurse who fails to maintain an acceptable standard."

A spokesman from the UKCC said that Gandarillas had never been prosecuted for his conduct towards the two women.

December 6, 2001 11:00