A HEALTH visitor who lied about the work he was supposed to carry out supporting vulnerable mothers in Lancashire has been suspended for six months.

Lee Hart, who worked for Lancashire Care’s early start health visiting team, was censured over his failure to visit two at-risk mums and failed to keep proper records in the case of at least two other mothers.

Hart had complained about his workload – but an inquiry by the NHS foundation trust found he was dealing with less than the average number of cases. And at least four of those files could have been discharged.

His actions between April and October 2013 were referred to the Nursing and Midwifery Council and a conduct and competence committee heard allegations against him.

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In the case of one mother he was found to have failed to visit her at all in September and October – then falsified records to cover his tracks. His behaviour was similar for another mother, and he also failed to complete safeguarding paperwork on her file.

Hart was also said to have failed to complete case records for a third mother, and failed to record the outcome of a child protection conference, concerning a fourth mother, and missed out key notes on a fifth.

But the case against him relating to not visiting two other mothers was found ‘not proved’ after a hearing.

The conduct committee was told Hart, who did not attend the hearing, had recognised certain failings within his own practice.

But he had not engaged with the disciplinary procedures, the panel noted, or demonstrated he had remedied his problems.

Medical and personal problems had affected the health visitor at the time of the allegations and he had highlighted his shortcomings to management, the committee heard.

Committee chairman Martin Parker said: “The panel considered the vulnerable nature of the service users in his care.”