A support worker had a "sexually exploitative" relationship with a 60-year-old mentally ill patient, a new report has revealed.
The worker breached the consumers' rights code for entering an intimate relationship with a "vulnerable" client while providing support services, said deputy health and disability commissioner Rose Wall.
The relationship between the support worker, named 'Mr B' in the report, and the patient 'Mrs A', lasted eight months.
The report released on Monday shows Mrs A was "vulnerable" due to "mental health issues". Mr B was aware of this vulnerability, attending Mrs A's mental health appointments.
Mr B began caring for Mrs A in 2017, assisting with shopping, cooking, attending appointments, collecting medication and other routine activities.
The pair became friends, then formed a sexual relationship in 2018. Mr B continued to care for Mrs A during the relationship, visiting her outside of his usual hours.
In early 2019, Mrs A told a mental health support worker that she was feeling unwell and experiencing suicidal thoughts. When asked why, Mrs A said she and Mr B were in love - and in an intimate relationship.
As soon as the information was known, Mr B was stood down so an investigation could take place, and he resigned soon after.
The pair continued the relationship for two months following Mr B's resignation, then split up.
Relationships between a healthcare provider and patient are "likely to involve a power imbalance and a degree of vulnerability", the support service office has previously found.
According to the report, all support service staff are bound by the support service's Code of Conduct.
Mr B broke the support service's Code of Conduct by:
- Not maintaining professional boundaries with a client
- Failure to disclose a personal, financial or professional relationship with a client that could lead to a conflict of interest, and failure to act on instructions relating to a conflict of interest.
All support service employees are trained in professional boundaries as part of their core training.
