The Nursing and Midwifery Council found multiple allegations against Suzanne Tuffnell who worked at Butterwick Hospice Care in Stockton proved, including remarks about her colleague’s weight, abilities, popularity and position at work.
The report states Tuffnell told Colleague A: “I was your size before I lost four stone”.
She was also found to have told her: “You’re at the bottom where you will always be”.
Another allegation found proved was that Tuffnell told her colleague she was “keen and a know it all and none of the staff liked” her.
The report found the conduct was unwanted and had the purpose or effect of creating “an intimidating, hostile, degrading, humiliating or offensive environment” for Colleague A.
Colleague A told the panel: “It felt like she took enjoyment in embarrassing me.”
She described how she had joked about becoming an area manager after agreeing to watch a colleague’s patient.
She said Tuffnell replied: “No you’re at the bottom where you will always be.”
“It didn’t feel like banter, it felt pointed,” Colleague A said.
Butterwick Hospice in Stockton (Image: SARAH CALDECOTT)
The report states another member of staff looked at Colleague A “just horrified” after the remark.
The panel also found proved an allegation that Tuffnell told Colleague A she was shocked she had got the job and “would not have given her the job”.
The report records Colleague A saying Tuffnell asked how she got the job and remarked: “I’m surprised they’ve let you in the building”.
The incident happened while the pair were bathing a child, according to the report.
The panel also found Tuffnell repeatedly criticised Colleague A over her uniform.
Colleague A said she had initially been wearing her own black scrubs because she had not received her uniform and there were no spare tops that fitted her.
She said Tuffnell “relentlessly harassed” her about wearing black scrubs.
According to the report, Tuffnell then threw a rainbow scrub top at her and said: “Look, just wear this!”.
Colleague A said she was forced to wear the top despite it not fitting and that it split up the sides.
“I felt so humiliated,” she said.
The panel found the allegation proved in its entirety and noted that another member of staff had witnessed the interaction.
The report also found proved allegations that Tuffnell swore at Colleague A when she asked questions about patient care.
She was found to have responded: “None of your f*****g business” and “Just read the care notes”.
Colleague A said: “When I had genuine questions about patient care, she would shut me down and say that it was ‘none of your f******g business” or “just read the care notes’.”
The panel found her evidence reliable and consistent and said she had given a high level of detail about the incidents.
Tuffnell was also found to have shouted at Colleague A and, in front of other staff, said: “Are you listening to me? I’m not going to tell you again”.
She was also found to have told her: “Actually, move round here so I can tell you’re listening to me”.
Colleague A said she was “in floods of tears” as a result.
The panel found the allegations proved and said another staff member’s evidence corroborated her account.
In another incident, the report found Tuffnell grabbed Colleague A’s hood and aggressively pulled it down over her face.
She was found to have said: “Do your hood up if you’re that f*****g cold.”
Colleague A said she was “shocked and embarrassed because others had seen it happen”.
The panel found the allegation proved in its entirety and noted the incident involved more than verbal attacks, but also unwanted physical contact.
The report said Colleague A had described Tuffnell as sarcastic, snappy and highly critical.
She said: “During my time at the Hospice, Suzanne would humiliate, undermine and bully me in front of others. There were too many incidents and comments to recall.”
She added: “It was as if she thought that I was beneath her.”
Butterwick Hospice in Stockton (Image: SARAH CALDECOTT)
The panel said evidence from a number of healthcare assistants during an internal inquiry described Tuffnell as a bully.
It found her communication and unwanted conduct had created “an inappropriately hostile and intimidating environment”.
The report also found evidence that Tuffnell made comments about the weight of several colleagues.
One witness told the internal investigation: “ST said whilst looking at me ‘You don’t eat anyway’”.
The same witness said: “ST comes to me and tells me she has an eating disorder” and “ST behaviours, comments to me would cause me to relapse”.
The panel concluded the accounts were consistent and pointed to Tuffnell making comments about weight to several colleagues as well as Colleague A.
Colleague A had joined Butterwick Hospice Care in August 2022 and resigned in April 2023, according to the report.
She raised concerns about Tuffnell’s bullying and harassing conduct, initially through an informal grievance in December 2022 before making a formal grievance in February 2023.
The report states that following the grievance, other staff members began raising similar concerns about Tuffnell’s alleged bullying and harassing behaviour.
The NMC also found proved allegations concerning Tuffnell leaving the unit unattended for extended periods, failing to tell staff where she was and being uncontactable.
One witness was asked whether she had seen Tuffnell leave the unit when she was the only nurse on duty for long periods.
Her response was: “Oh gosh yes”.
Another witness said Tuffnell usually left for ten to 30 minutes without informing staff.
The panel found the evidence showing she left without informing anyone for lengthy periods and was uncontactable outweighed Tuffnell’s evidence.
Tuffnell did not attend the hearing and was unrepresented.
The panel decided it was fair to proceed in her absence after noting she had previously confirmed she was content for the hearing to continue without her.
The report records Tuffnell as saying she was “shocked, upset and in total disbelief” that her actions had been interpreted as bullying.
She said: “I am also ashamed that I have been perceived as a bully.”
She added: “On reflection I can understand that my colleagues had no other option but to report my behaviour as it was not acceptable, and no one should have to put up with that at work even though it was not intentional, that is how it was perceived and that was my fault.”
The panel found her fitness to practise impaired and imposed a strike-off.
The Northern Echo has contacted Butterwick’s Hospice but they did not respond in time for publication.