St Andrew's Healthcare defends policies after carer kissed and sent explicit messages to Northampton mental health patient

St Andrew's Healthcare has defended its policies after a former carer was sentenced for kissing and sending explicit messages to a mental health patient at its Northampton hospital.

Adam White, 32, of Woodside Green, was a given a 30-month community order at Northampton Crown Court on Wednesday (June 30) after previously pleading guilty to engaging in sexual activity with the female patient.

A St Andrew's spokesperson said: "We support vulnerable people and expect all of our staff to live by our 'CARE' values of compassion, accountability, respect and excellence.

"All St Andrew’s employees obtain a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check prior to starting their employment with us, and these DBS certificates are regularly renewed throughout their employment.

"We swiftly escalated the complaint about Mr White’s conduct to the Northamptonshire County Council Safeguarding Board and we suspended him from his position.

"A thorough investigation then took place, which included input from the police, and it was the outcome of this which led to Mr White's dismissal.

"We provided guidance and support to the victim throughout and would like to wish them well for the future."

The court heard White had developed a sexual interest in the patient while working as a senior healthcare assistant at the Billing Road hospital and exchanged phone numbers with her.

He texted the patient about his fantasies of having sex with her in the Billing Road mental health hospital and sent her an explicit picture, the court heard.

The court was told White 'limited his physical actions to full blown kissing with tongues', telling the patient about his sexual dreams involving her and complementing her.

A professional relationship then resumed but the alarm was raised after a colleague overheard them talking about the texts.

The victim's mental health deteriorated and her stay in hospital was made longer as a result of the ordeal, His Honour Judge David Herbert said.