NSW Nurse Banned After Intimate Relationship with Mental Health Patient
A registered nurse in New South Wales has been disqualified from practicing for two years after being found guilty of professional misconduct for engaging in an inappropriate relationship with a vulnerable mental health patient.
Dilnoor Kang, formerly employed at the Wagga Wagga mental health unit, admitted to an intimate relationship with a patient, known only as Patient A, who was receiving treatment for suicidal and homicidal ideation and psychosis in 2021 and 2022. The NSW Civil and Administrative Tribunal heard evidence of numerous calls and texts – up to 5,000 over a year – as well as visits and physical contact, including being seen kissing and hugging at Kang’s home and in her car. During one instance, Kang visited Patient A in hospital while off-shift and became emotional during their conversation.
The tribunal heard that Patient A told another nurse he felt Kang was “playing with his head.” Police were called in January 2024 following an argument at Kang’s residence where the patient slapped her, and both individuals disclosed their relationship to officers. Kang initially denied the extent of the relationship to health authorities, claiming she believed she was communicating with someone she met online, a claim the tribunal deemed “implausible.” This case highlights the critical importance of maintaining professional boundaries in healthcare, particularly with vulnerable patients. Further information on professional conduct expectations for nurses can be found at the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia.
Kang voluntarily surrendered her nursing registration in mid-2024, and the Health Care Complaints Commission urged the tribunal to formally cancel it. The tribunal ruled that while it wasn’t necessary to determine if the relationship was sexual, the evidence demonstrated “inappropriate intimacy” and “objectively serious” misconduct. The disqualification period is for two years, and the incident underscores the potential for harm when professional boundaries are crossed in mental healthcare, as detailed in resources from Beyond Blue.
The tribunal stated it is satisfied the risk of harm to a mental health patient in these circumstances is considerable.
