Professor Sir George Castledine 'over-friendly' with day care staff

A professor of nursing who admitted declaring his love for an elderly patient was "overly-friendly" with care staff, a hearing was told.

Sir George Castledine, 63, has admitted calling the then 83-year-old patient, known as Patient A, "my little Tinkerbell" and giving her gifts.

He denies a number of allegations of misconduct, dating back to 2009, at a Nursing and Midwifery Council hearing.

They involve his work at the Institute of Ageing and Health West Midlands.

Bereavement counselling

Rhonda Kaye helped manage Onneley House, a day centre for over-60s in Birmingham, where Sir George worked.

In a statement to the hearing, she said: "He could be over-friendly with staff, he had a tendency to put his arm around and hug people."

The NMC heard Sir George had told Patient A on more than one occasion "I love you" and said he would have to go to the gym to keep fit or he "wouldn't be able to make love" to her.

He admits a charge of "failing to maintain appropriate professional boundaries" with Patient A, who had come to him for bereavement counselling after her husband died.

He denies that his conduct was sexually or financially motivated.

If found guilty of misconduct, Sir George, who was knighted for his services to healthcare in 2007, could be struck off the nursing register.

The hearing continues.