Nurse’s misconduct in front of vulnerable elderly patient exposed: 'He knew what he was doing'
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Content warning: This article contains disturbing details of misconduct and sexual abuse by a medical professional. Reader discretion is advised.
In a deeply unsettling breach of trust and professional ethics, a nurse has been stripped of his registration after committing an egregious act of indecency in front of an elderly dementia patient.
This incident, which took place during what should have been a safe and comforting 'movie night' at an aged care facility, has sent shockwaves through the community and raised serious concerns about the safety and dignity of our most vulnerable seniors.
Arnold Bulwayan Alunday, a 48-year-old male nurse from Ropes Crossing in Blacktown, was found to have exploited the vulnerability of a 70-year-old woman suffering from early-onset dementia.
The Health Care Complaints Commission (HCCC) detailed to the Civil and Administrative Tribunal how Alunday took the patient from a communal activity to her private room to assist her in the bathroom.
In the privacy of her room, with the curtains drawn and lights turned off, it was there that he committed the act.
The gravity of this violation cannot be overstated. Alunday's actions were a gross violation of his professional duties and a profound betrayal of the trust the patient and her family placed in him.
The fact that he chose to masturbate in front of someone who could not comprehend or report the incident due to her dementia is particularly heinous.
The incident came to light when a female colleague walked in on Alunday during the act in August 2023.
Despite being caught red-handed, Alunday showed little remorse and failed to cooperate with the subsequent investigation.
Alarmingly, he managed to secure employment with another aged care provider shortly after the incident, raising questions about the thoroughness of background checks and the communication between facilities regarding staff misconduct.
The tribunal's decision to cancel Alunday's registration for a non-review period of three years and to ban him from providing any health service during that time is a step towards justice.
'The Respondent took to avoid detection of his behaviour, such as closing the curtains, turning off the lights and performing the act in a private setting when he was aware that [his female colleague] was tending to another patient, and the other AIN on shift was on break,' the commission said.
'These steps make it clear that [Alunday] knew what he was doing was wrong.'
Alunday's lack of remorse, as reported by the HCCC, and his focus on his own misfortunes rather than the impact of his actions on the patient indicated a disturbing lack of empathy and understanding of the responsibilities inherent in nursing.
'His evidence given to the council was focused upon his own misfortunes, his family,' they added.
'The conduct has a real potential to erode public confidence in the nursing profession.'
The facility where the incident occurred has not been named to protect the patient's identity.
This decision, while necessary to safeguard the victim, also serves as a reminder of the many unnamed and unrecognized individuals who may have suffered similar abuses in silence.
Alunday, who migrated to Australia from the Philippines in June 2011 and obtained a Bachelor of Nursing from Western Sydney University in 2023, had been registered as a nurse in Australia since March 2023.
His LinkedIn page indicated employment with Australian Unity as an assistant in nursing, but the organization confirmed his departure in April 2020.
This case is a reminder of the importance of rigorous screening and monitoring of those who work with the elderly, particularly those with cognitive impairments.
It also underscores the need for robust reporting and investigative processes to ensure that any individual who abuses their position of trust is held accountable and prevented from causing further harm.
To our readers, particularly those with loved ones in aged care, we encourage you to remain vigilant and to advocate for transparency and accountability in care facilities.
If you have concerns about the care of a family member or friend, do not hesitate to raise them with the facility's management or the appropriate regulatory bodies.
We must all work together to ensure that our seniors are treated with the dignity and respect they deserve and that those who care for them are held to the highest standards of professional conduct.
In other news, Dr Thean Soo Chin has been banned from practising medicine for 10 years following disturbing allegations of misconduct with patients.
The accusations include inappropriate touching, sexual acts before issuing prescriptions, and improper prescribing of medication. You can read more about it here.
Are aged care facilities doing enough to protect residents from misconduct? How can we ensure carers are held to high ethical standards? Share your thoughts and opinions in the comments below.
In a deeply unsettling breach of trust and professional ethics, a nurse has been stripped of his registration after committing an egregious act of indecency in front of an elderly dementia patient.
This incident, which took place during what should have been a safe and comforting 'movie night' at an aged care facility, has sent shockwaves through the community and raised serious concerns about the safety and dignity of our most vulnerable seniors.
Arnold Bulwayan Alunday, a 48-year-old male nurse from Ropes Crossing in Blacktown, was found to have exploited the vulnerability of a 70-year-old woman suffering from early-onset dementia.
The Health Care Complaints Commission (HCCC) detailed to the Civil and Administrative Tribunal how Alunday took the patient from a communal activity to her private room to assist her in the bathroom.
Arnold Bulwayan Alunday has been deregistered after being caught inappropriately behaving in front of a 70-year-old dementia patient. Credit: Facebook
In the privacy of her room, with the curtains drawn and lights turned off, it was there that he committed the act.
The gravity of this violation cannot be overstated. Alunday's actions were a gross violation of his professional duties and a profound betrayal of the trust the patient and her family placed in him.
The fact that he chose to masturbate in front of someone who could not comprehend or report the incident due to her dementia is particularly heinous.
The incident came to light when a female colleague walked in on Alunday during the act in August 2023.
Despite being caught red-handed, Alunday showed little remorse and failed to cooperate with the subsequent investigation.
Alarmingly, he managed to secure employment with another aged care provider shortly after the incident, raising questions about the thoroughness of background checks and the communication between facilities regarding staff misconduct.
The tribunal's decision to cancel Alunday's registration for a non-review period of three years and to ban him from providing any health service during that time is a step towards justice.
'The Respondent took to avoid detection of his behaviour, such as closing the curtains, turning off the lights and performing the act in a private setting when he was aware that [his female colleague] was tending to another patient, and the other AIN on shift was on break,' the commission said.
'These steps make it clear that [Alunday] knew what he was doing was wrong.'
Alunday's lack of remorse, as reported by the HCCC, and his focus on his own misfortunes rather than the impact of his actions on the patient indicated a disturbing lack of empathy and understanding of the responsibilities inherent in nursing.
'His evidence given to the council was focused upon his own misfortunes, his family,' they added.
'The conduct has a real potential to erode public confidence in the nursing profession.'
The facility where the incident occurred has not been named to protect the patient's identity.
This decision, while necessary to safeguard the victim, also serves as a reminder of the many unnamed and unrecognized individuals who may have suffered similar abuses in silence.
His LinkedIn page indicated employment with Australian Unity as an assistant in nursing, but the organization confirmed his departure in April 2020.
This case is a reminder of the importance of rigorous screening and monitoring of those who work with the elderly, particularly those with cognitive impairments.
It also underscores the need for robust reporting and investigative processes to ensure that any individual who abuses their position of trust is held accountable and prevented from causing further harm.
To our readers, particularly those with loved ones in aged care, we encourage you to remain vigilant and to advocate for transparency and accountability in care facilities.
If you have concerns about the care of a family member or friend, do not hesitate to raise them with the facility's management or the appropriate regulatory bodies.
We must all work together to ensure that our seniors are treated with the dignity and respect they deserve and that those who care for them are held to the highest standards of professional conduct.
In other news, Dr Thean Soo Chin has been banned from practising medicine for 10 years following disturbing allegations of misconduct with patients.
The accusations include inappropriate touching, sexual acts before issuing prescriptions, and improper prescribing of medication. You can read more about it here.
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