Nurse to appeal striking off for 'love'

A psychiatric nurse who was struck off for embarking on a relationship with a patient is to appeal his decision in the High Court.

Eric Phillips was found guilty of gross professional misconduct by the NMC last year, after he accepted a ticket to Glastonbury from a service-user and started a sexual relationship with her. Mr Phillips, who is currently in a long-term relationship with the woman, told NT he had no regrets about the relationship, which began in 2004, and felt that he had abided by the regulator's guidance at that time.

The appeal is due to take place at the High Court in London in June.

An NT survey revealed last week that almost one in ten nurses thought love could sometimes justify having a relationship with a patient, even though the regulator expressly forbids it (NT News, 26 February, p2).