Bridgend nurses charged with wilful neglect

Three hospital nurses have been charged with wilful neglect following a police investigation into alleged record-keeping anomalies.

South Wales Police confirmed Lauro Bertulano, 44, Clare Cahill, 41 and Rebecca Jones, 29, have been charged on suspicion of falsifying patients’ notes at the Princess of Wales Hospital, contrary to Section 44 of the Mental Capacity Act 2005.

All three nurses, from the Bridgend area, have been suspended since last year and are due to appear before magistrates next month.

A hospital spokesman said it was aware of the charges.

The hospital had previously confirmed that its internal systems picked up alleged anomalies last year regarding the record-keeping of a small number of nurses.

A total of 13 nurses have since been suspended, including the three who have been charged.

A dozen of those are from the Princess of Wales Hospital, with the remaining one from nearby Morriston Hospital in Swansea.

The hospital spokesman said: “Over the last 15 months three nurses have been arrested and given police bail in connection with police investigations at the Princess of Wales Hospital. We are aware that the three have now been charged.

“Clearly this matter is now sub-judice and therefore we will not be commenting further at this stage. We continue to assist South Wales Police with their investigations.”

A police spokesman said the three nurses are scheduled to appear before Bridgend Magistrates’ Court on July 28.