Courts / Kildare / Report

Nurse slapped elderly dementia patient and referred to him as a "dirty Jew", inquiry finds

Date
2017-06-20

Stage
Hearing Or Decision

Primary locality
Maynooth

County
Kildare

Summary

A Fitness to Practice inquiry at the Nursing and Midwifery Board found that Registered Nurse Marilyn Rillera, 57, from the Philippines, slapped an 87‑year‑old resident of the Maynooth Community Care Unit in December 2015 and referred to him as a "dirty Jew." The inquiry recorded that Rillera failed to communicate appropriately with the dementia patient and was non‑compliant with the nurses' professional code of conduct. Rillera was not present at the inquiry and denied using the phrase, claiming she only told the patient he was dirty. Linda Jennings, a health‑care assistant who assisted the resident that day, testified that Rillera said, "You can't hit a woman. What are you, a dirty Jew?" and then slapped the patient's arm. The resident was shocked and upset but did not understand the incident shortly thereafter. Rillera had worked in Ireland since 2002 and may have returned to the Philippines.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Nurse slapped elderly dementia patient and referred to him as a "dirty Jew", inquiry finds. Charges or matters: professional misconduct; non-compliance with the nurses' professional code of conduct. Procedural stage: hearing_or_decision

When: