A band 6 mental health nurse at Craigavon Area Hospital has been struck off by the Nursing and Midwifery Council.

Christopher Higgins faced eleven allegations covering the period from mid-2016 to March 2023. Six of the allegations were found proven at a Fitness to Practise hearing held in his absence.

The proven matters included sending a colleague a photograph of himself naked in a bubble bath and using sexual innuendo toward other staff. Higgins also admitted having oral sex with a colleague in his office and sending that colleague messages stating he was falling in love with them.

The Southern Health and Social Care Trust participated in the hearing and stated it would review the written findings. The Trust said there is no evidence that patient safety was directly affected.

The Trust added that it investigates all allegations against staff and applies disciplinary measures through established governance processes. It emphasised the requirement for registered nurses to meet clear standards of professional conduct.