NHS nurse wrongly suspended after patient claims she was pregnant with his child

An NHS nurse, Jessica Thorpe, was wrongly suspended by the Cumbria, Northumberland Tyne and Wear NHS Foundation Trust for two years following allegations made by a patient, known only as Patient X, in April 2020. Patient X claimed to be in an ‘inappropriate relationship’ with Thorpe, who was treating him in a secure facility for men with ties to the criminal justice system. Sadly, Patient X passed away in December of the same year.

Despite Patient X’s death, Thorpe was suspended by the Trust. Thorpe, who also ran social media accounts as an influencer under the name Slice of Jess, was earning nearly £20,000 annually through her online presence. Despite being informed that she could return to work, Thorpe chose to resign instead.

It wasn’t until July 2021, over a year after the initial accusations, that a panel ruled there was insufficient evidence to support the allegations against Thorpe. However, Thorpe never received an outcome letter from the Trust and was left uncertain about her position. Judge Simon Loy deemed Thorpe’s suspension as unjust and unnecessary past July 21, 2021, stating that she was left in an “entirely unsatisfactory position.”

During her suspension, Thorpe transitioned into a food influencer, gaining over 50,000 followers on Instagram and over 25,000 subscribers on YouTube. Financial records presented in the tribunal revealed a significant increase in Thorpe’s income from online activities.

Thorpe pursued a claim for unfair constructive dismissal, breach of contract, and unlawful deduction of wages, all of which were upheld by the tribunal. The judge acknowledged the complexity of the case, recognizing the influence of Thorpe’s desire to focus on her social media career and her strained relationship with the Trust.

Thorpe’s compensation is yet to be determined in a future hearing following the tribunal’s ruling in her favour.

In conclusion, Jessica Thorpe’s story sheds light on the challenges faced by healthcare professionals in the digital age and highlights the importance of fair treatment and due process in workplace disputes. Thorpe’s resilience and success as a social media influencer alongside her nursing career showcase the diverse paths individuals may navigate in their professional lives.