A registered nurse who used "emotional blackmail, manipulation and coercion" to take a six-figure sum from a 99-year-old woman in her care has been struck off by a Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) Fitness to Practise Committee.
Rebecca Louise Burwood, a registered nurse specialising in adult nursing since March 22, 2002, was employed as deputy manager at the Bryn Yr Haul care home in Flintshire. The NMC hearing into her conduct ran from Monday, September 28 until Thursday, October 8.
Financial abuse of a vulnerable resident
On June 9, 2023, the NMC received a referral from Flintshire County Council raising concerns about the "financial abuse of a 99-year old resident", identified as Resident A. The resident had entered the home in March 2018, a move arranged by Mrs Burwood, and there was a pre-existing relationship between the two.
It was alleged that between 2017 and 2023, "Mrs Burwood took advantage of Resident A for her own personal and / or financial gain." On May 5, 2018, she became Resident A's Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA) for property and financial affairs, along with her friend, Person B, who was Resident A's old neighbour.
Funds used for cosmetic surgery and home improvements
Mrs Burwood is said to have taken £370,000 from Resident A, with £160,000 of this from large cash withdrawals at ATMs. The report stated: "This was not spent on the care of, or for the benefit of, Resident A. There is evidence to show Mrs Burwood used the funds for house improvements, utility bills and council tax. There are allegations that Mrs Burwood used some of the funds for personal cosmetic surgery."
Resident A transferred ownership of her house, valued at £400,000, to Mrs Burwood prior to going into care. Following the large cash withdrawals, Resident A's bank referred the matter to North Wales Police on March 1, 2023, and an investigation commenced. The bank initially froze Resident A's account, but it is alleged Mrs Burwood then took Resident A to the bank to try to unfreeze it.
Emotional blackmail and striking-off order
The report added: "It is also alleged that Mrs Burwood used emotional blackmail towards Resident A. It is alleged Mrs Burwood informed Resident A she would not be able to take Resident A for days out if she did not have access to her money. Resident A did not have any family."
On April 28, 2023, Mrs Burwood visited Resident A and was heard to say 'I will give you the money back', 'sign here' and 'not sign here'. Safeguarding recommended that future visits be supervised. Resident A later stated she did not want to take any action as "she believes [Mrs Burwood] has learned from her mistakes and values her friendship". The police took no further action as Resident A did not want to make a complaint. Resident A has since passed away.
The committee found all six charges proved, including taking advantage of Resident A, attempting to unfreeze her bank account, applying to be her LPA, failing to inform her employer, dishonesty, and visiting Resident A with a document to sign. Mrs Burwood has been given a striking-off order sanction and an 18-month interim suspension order.
Mrs Burwood stated she "had failed to uphold the standards expected of a registered nurse and deeply regretted her actions", adding she saw Resident A as her 'Nanna', which blurred professional boundaries. She stated that applying for the LPA "crossed professional boundaries and she should have asked the solicitor for further information".
