I was treated like a criminal and forced out of my job as NHS nurse after patient claimed I was pregnant with his child
WEB OF LIES I was treated like a criminal and forced out of my job as NHS nurse after patient claimed I was pregnant with his child
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window)
Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
A NURSE-turned-influencer has revealed she was treated like a criminal after a patient falsely claimed she was pregnant with his child.
Jessica Thorpe was wrongly suspended after the man, named only as Patient X, said the pair were in an "inappropriate relationship".
Sign up for Scottish Sun
newsletter
Sign up
5
Jessica Thorpe was suspended as a nurse after a patient claimed he got her pregnant
Credit: NNP
At the time, he was a patient on a secure facility for men with mental disorders who have come into contact with the criminal justice system.
She eventually was told she could continue her work with Cumbria, Northumberland, Tyne and Wear NHS Foundation Trust but she resigned a month later in protest.
Jessica was last week awarded £24,118 after she won a claim for unfair dismissal, breach of contract and unlawful deduction of wages.
She has now spoken out about her ordeal for the first time and revealed she was left feeling vulnerable and alone.
Jessica added: "I wasn't pregnant, not by him or anyone. It was a complete lie.
"It was just one of this patient's delusional beliefs. But despite this, the allegation was taken as gospel and I was suspended.
"I was absolutely devastated and couldn't believe what was happening.
"I was assumed to be guilty even though it was an absolutely ridiculous allegation."
Jessica began working for the trust in early 2020 but was suspended in April that year on basic pay when the claim was made.
A hearing eventually took place in July 2021 - more than a year after the allegations arose - by which time Patient X had passed away.
The tribunal heard how there may have been a 'blurring of boundaries' due to the patient 'responding well' to the nurse.
The allegation of inappropriate behaviour was not upheld due to a lack of 'conclusive evidence'.
Despite the ruling, Jessica was told she would not be returning until a police probe into Patient X's death was completed.
She said she was left feeling upset and confused by the situation was "immediately isolated" from her colleagues, who assumed she was guilty.
Jessica added: "I felt so vulnerable I installed cameras at my house.
"People assumed I was guilty. I felt bullied. I had also lost the career I loved, and fell into depression.
"It was one of the darkest periods of my life. I had to beg the NHS for counselling."
During her suspension, the nurse launched a food influencer account on Instagram called 'Slice of Jess', which amassed more than 50,000 followers.
She also began making YouTube videos and started earning money from her content.
Tax returns shown to the tribunal revealed her income from Google soared from £4,211 in 2021 to £19,222 in 2023.
The trust tried to argue that Jessica only resigned from her role as she wanted to "pursue her career as a social media influencer'.
But she said she only started posting content as a "hobby" during her suspension.
The nurse also said she only resigned because the trust failed to address any 'gossip' about the 'alleged relationship' from colleagues.
Jessica added: "I was uploading pictures of my meals but I never meant it to take off in the way that it did.
"I couldn't do anything else. I was told that I wasn't allowed to talk to anyone what was going on or seek other work.
"Taking photographs brought me a little bit of joy.
"It's not true I left to pursue a career on social media.
"I did apply for a job as a different trust as a community carer and I got it.
"However, when I told them I was suing the trust they wanted a letter saying the allegation hadn't been upheld but my bosses wouldn't provide it.
"That's when I knew I would never work in nursing again."
Judge Simon Loy said there was an 'enormous period' where Jessica was suspended but said the 'real issue' arose from the trust's decision not to allow her back to work after the disciplinary hearing.
He accepted her desire to pursue a career as a social media influencer was 'influential' on her decision to leave.
But he added: "However, the tribunal must apply the applicable legal principles.
'If the duration of [Miss Thorpe's] suspension gave her an opportunity to explore the potential for social media activities to generate income then so be it.'
Jessica is now urging the NHS to review their disciplinary procedures.
She said: "I have been contacted by other NHS workers who've been through similar ordeals.
"You are treated like a criminal. It's really sad to think that I'm not the only one who has gone through it.
"I hope that they will make changes.
"The patient who made the allegation about me did so after his mental health declined whilst he was on the ward. He had also accused doctors of being terrorists.
"I have no ill feeling towards him, he wasn't well, but I will never understand why he was believed over me."
Lynne Shaw, executive director of workforce at the trust, said although it was disappointed of the outcome, the trust respects "the findings of the tribunal and will look at what lessons can be learned".
5
Jessica sued the trust for unfair dismissal
Credit: NNP
5
While she was suspended, the nurse started an influencer page
5
She began making YouTube videos and started earning money from her content
Credit: Instagram / @thesliceofjess
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
South Wales Argus
3 hours ago
- South Wales Argus
Dentists slam Welsh Government's NHS dental reforms
The British Dental Association Cymru has warned the Welsh Government that the changes could lead to an exodus from the workforce and should be paused for further trials. The proposed reforms aim to improve oral health, increase prevention, and provide better value for money. However, a survey indicates that only two per cent of dentists believe the changes will support NHS dentistry's sustainability. Just five per cent agree the reforms will enhance prevention, and eight per cent think they will improve access to NHS care. A significant concern is the shift in patient appointments to up to 24 months apart, which could limit early disease detection, including oral cancers. The changes also propose moving patients to a centralised database, potentially fragmenting family care. The reforms are expected to be introduced next year.
North Wales Chronicle
3 hours ago
- North Wales Chronicle
Women with genetic cancer risk being ‘missed' due to testing gaps
A lack of testing for Lynch syndrome also means some cancer patients are unaware of their risk of developing other cancers, academics said. Lynch syndrome is a rare condition which runs in families which puts people at a higher risk of developing cancers of the bowel, womb and ovaries. It is caused by a mutation in the gene that fixes mistakes in DNA when it is copied, which can lead to uncontrolled cell growth. Patients with bowel or womb cancer should have their tumours assessed for markers of Lynch syndrome, according to guidance for the NHS. If these markers are identified, patients should be referred for genetic testing so the diagnosis can be confirmed and they can get support and advice about cancer risk for themselves and their family. A new study by academics at the University of Edinburgh found not all womb cancer patients are being sent for genetic testing. Researchers examined data on 2,500 womb cancer patients across the UK and Ireland between 2022 and 2023. We have launched a Guide to #LynchSyndrome to help provide information and support to anyone who thinks they may have it, that it may run in the family, or have found out they have — The Eve Appeal (@eveappeal) February 13, 2023 They found that 91% of tumours were tested for markers of Lynch syndrome, but the test results were not routinely communicated to the wider clinical team. This means that follow-up genetic counselling and blood tests were not always arranged. Of the 181 participants eligible for genetic counselling, just under two-thirds (64%) were referred for appointments, according to the study, which has been published in the journal BMJ Oncology. Researchers said those who were referred faced long waits, resulting in high dropout rates, meaning only 48% of those eligible went on to get the test. Today's #LynchSyndromeAwarenessDay. Our policy team sat down with our supporter, Jane, to share her experience. As well as highlighting what else needs to be done to improve Lynch syndrome care. Read our blog: — Bowel Cancer UK (@bowelcanceruk) March 22, 2025 Experts from the university said gaps in testing mean some womb cancer patients with Lynch syndrome go undetected. Family members are also left vulnerable to cancer risk, unaware they may have the condition. Dr Neil Ryan, from the University of Edinburgh, who leads the UK audit and research collaborative in obstetrics and gynaecology, said: 'Despite clear guidance and excellent rates of tumour testing, too many women with Lynch syndrome are still being missed because they're not referred for definitive blood testing in a timely way. 'This not only denies them the chance to reduce their future cancer risk but also prevents their relatives from being tested and protected. 'Tumour testing is only cost-effective if it leads to diagnosis — we urgently need to make mainstream testing truly mainstream.'
Rhyl Journal
4 hours ago
- Rhyl Journal
Women with genetic cancer risk being ‘missed' due to testing gaps
A lack of testing for Lynch syndrome also means some cancer patients are unaware of their risk of developing other cancers, academics said. Lynch syndrome is a rare condition which runs in families which puts people at a higher risk of developing cancers of the bowel, womb and ovaries. It is caused by a mutation in the gene that fixes mistakes in DNA when it is copied, which can lead to uncontrolled cell growth. Patients with bowel or womb cancer should have their tumours assessed for markers of Lynch syndrome, according to guidance for the NHS. If these markers are identified, patients should be referred for genetic testing so the diagnosis can be confirmed and they can get support and advice about cancer risk for themselves and their family. A new study by academics at the University of Edinburgh found not all womb cancer patients are being sent for genetic testing. Researchers examined data on 2,500 womb cancer patients across the UK and Ireland between 2022 and 2023. We have launched a Guide to #LynchSyndrome to help provide information and support to anyone who thinks they may have it, that it may run in the family, or have found out they have — The Eve Appeal (@eveappeal) February 13, 2023 They found that 91% of tumours were tested for markers of Lynch syndrome, but the test results were not routinely communicated to the wider clinical team. This means that follow-up genetic counselling and blood tests were not always arranged. Of the 181 participants eligible for genetic counselling, just under two-thirds (64%) were referred for appointments, according to the study, which has been published in the journal BMJ Oncology. Researchers said those who were referred faced long waits, resulting in high dropout rates, meaning only 48% of those eligible went on to get the test. Today's #LynchSyndromeAwarenessDay. Our policy team sat down with our supporter, Jane, to share her experience. As well as highlighting what else needs to be done to improve Lynch syndrome care. Read our blog: — Bowel Cancer UK (@bowelcanceruk) March 22, 2025 Experts from the university said gaps in testing mean some womb cancer patients with Lynch syndrome go undetected. Family members are also left vulnerable to cancer risk, unaware they may have the condition. Dr Neil Ryan, from the University of Edinburgh, who leads the UK audit and research collaborative in obstetrics and gynaecology, said: 'Despite clear guidance and excellent rates of tumour testing, too many women with Lynch syndrome are still being missed because they're not referred for definitive blood testing in a timely way. 'This not only denies them the chance to reduce their future cancer risk but also prevents their relatives from being tested and protected. 'Tumour testing is only cost-effective if it leads to diagnosis — we urgently need to make mainstream testing truly mainstream.'
