A nurse in Dorset informed a patient that their cancer was caused by Covid vaccinations and handed them an anti-vaccination leaflet. The nurse, Penny Ann Senner, who worked at Dorset Healthcare University NHS Foundation Trust, has been removed from her position following a misconduct panel by the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC).
The panel confirmed four out of six charges against Senner, including providing the patient with a leaflet containing a link to an anti-vaccination website. The patient, referred to as Patient A, recounted an encounter with Senner during a routine appointment in August 2023, where the nurse insinuated that the patient’s cancer was a result of receiving Covid jabs in a covert manner.
Patient A expressed that Senner overtly attributed the cancer to the vaccines, claiming it had been concealed from the public. Patient A emphasized that the nurse’s statements were not speculative but definitive, leaving no room for doubt. Despite Senner’s defense questioning the potential link between Covid shots and cancer, Patient A remained steadfast in her view that the nurse’s actions were unwarranted.
Patient A disclosed that Senner gave her the anti-vaccination leaflet, which, upon investigation, turned out to be a source of misinformation rather than reliable guidance as suggested. The patient experienced distress and apprehension regarding her children receiving Covid vaccinations due to the nurse’s assertions.
Senner expressed regret over the distress caused to Patient A, asserting that it was not her intention. Additionally, Senner was found to have accessed multiple patient records without authorization or medical justification. The panel found that Senner’s actions had caused lasting emotional harm to Patient A and failed to demonstrate kindness or professionalism during their interaction.
The panel’s ruling led to Senner’s removal from the nursing register with an interim suspension of 18 months to allow for a potential appeal. It was determined that Senner’s behavior aimed to undermine public confidence in health advice, warranting her expulsion from the nursing profession.