A LEARNING disabilities nurse who gave a brain tumour patient sugar and water instead of morphine has been struck-off.

Vijayan Rajoo, who worked at St Fillans Care Home in Colchester, also failed to check the controlled drug cupboard at the start and or end of his shifts.

On one occasion, detailed in a misconduct hearing report, Rajoo, 64, lied when signing the controlled drugs book stating he had checked it.

He has now been struck-off for 18-months after a deputy manager at the home discovered 20ml of liquid morphine Oramorph was unaccounted for in June 2019.

The report, published by the Nursing and Midwifery Council Fitness to Practise Committee, reveals Rajoo made several admissions when investigated.

Echo: Care home - St Fillans Care home - St Fillans

At the time, the nurse was based on a unit which had 16 beds and provided care for residents with complex needs.

During an interview, Rajoo admitted he administered sugar and water to a 53-year-old patient on end of life care who had a brain tumour and suffered with chronic headaches.

The patient had requested pain relief but the nurse felt he did not need it, according to the report.

The report reads: “The Oramorph was prescribed for Patient A for when he needed a stronger pain relief than paracetamol.

“He presented with challenging behaviours if he had an episode and it could have been down to pain.”

The panel criticised the 64-year-old nurse for lacking “compassion and understanding” towards a vulnerable patient with learning difficulties.

Echo: Struck-off - Vijayan Rajoo has been struck-offStruck-off - Vijayan Rajoo has been struck-off

“It was of the view that members of the public, Patient A’s family and colleagues would be concerned by this,” continued the report.

“The panel also bore in mind that Rajoo intentionally acted in a way to conceal his actions.

“In light of this, the panel found that Rajoo’s actions did fall seriously short of the conduct and standards expected of a nurse and amounted to misconduct.”

The panel heard Rajoo has since retired from nursing and, in an email to the Nursing and Midwifery Council, said: “I have not been practising as a nurse or have any intention of practising in the near or distant future.

“I have completely retired from nursing. So whatever the outcome, it is of no relevance to me anymore.”