Matron took sex toy into work a tribunal rules Published duration 24 March 2014

A care home matron took a sex toy into work and showed her underwear on "numerous occasions", a tribunal ruled.

The Nursing and Midwifery Council also found Sharon Talbot raised her voice at a resident's partner at the Asheborough House Care Centre in Saltash, Cornwall.

However, the panel cleared her of several charges including that she went fishing instead of attending an end-of-life meeting.

Ms Talbot had denied all the charges brought against her.

The panel ruled that Ms Talbot raised her voice at the partner of a resident who she had also accused of stealing chocolates sent to the resident for his birthday.

They also found that an allegation that Ms Talbot shouted at a pregnant member of staff, whose maternity leave she refused to approve, while lying on the floor of her office was also proven.

The panel will now consider whether the facts found proven amount to misconduct.

Ms Talbot was cleared of an allegation that she played the rock song Sex On Fire and subsequently shouted out of her office window: "Come on vicar, complain about this."

'Carry on nursing'

The panel also cleared Ms Talbot of the charge that she screamed at a staff member, instructing her to ask representatives from the Care Quality Commission (CQC) to leave.

The panel ruled there was no case to answer in relation to a series of other allegations, including a claim she shouted "Carry on nursing" at a staff member.

Earlier in the hearing, Ms Talbot was described as a "really good" clinician who was "really, really kind" to the elderly residents, by a former nursing colleague.

Darrell Montero said Ms Talbot "probably didn't get the support that she needed" in carrying out her role.

Ms Talbot started work as matron at the home in May 2010, and tendered her resignation on 28 December 2011.

The hearing was adjourned until Tuesday.