A HEALTH visitor who lied about his work supporting vulnerable mothers in Lancashire has been struck off – after a watchdog ruled he had shown no desire to change his ways.

Lee Hart, who worked with Lancashire Care NHS Foundation Trust’s Early Start health visiting team, was suspended for six months, after allegations involving five mothers were found proved last year.

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But he failed to respond to a Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) disciplinary process and has now been kicked out of his profession for good.

Hart had initially complained about his excessive workload – but a fitness to practice hearing was told the number of cases he was dealing with was less than the average.

And if he had paid proper attention, at least four of the files in his caseload could have closed down to lighten the load, the NMC heard.

Between April and October 2013, a conduct and competence committee hearing was told how he failed to visit one mother for two whole months – then falsified records to cover his tracks. He was also found to have carried out similar behaviour with a second mother, as well as failing to complete case records for a third and did not note the outcome of a child protection conference with a fourth. Key case notes were also found to be missing for a fifth mother.

Hart, who did not attend the review meeting and was not represented, was also reprimanded for leaving medical notes in clear view in his car. Review panel chairman Mary Thomas said the health visitor had not taken the opportunity to reflect on his poor performance or prove he had any fresh insights into what he done wrong.

Announcing that he should be struck off, she added: “The panel was of the view that considerable evidence would be required to show that Mr Hart no longer posed a risk to the public.

“The panel determined that a further period of suspension would not serve any useful purpose in all of the circumstances. The panel determined that it was necessary to take action to prevent Mr Hart from practising in the future and concluded that the only sanction that would adequately protect the public and serve the public interest was a striking-off order.” The sanction will come into force from February 20, when Hart’s current suspension elapses.