A nurse who risked the lives of patients who had fallen ill abroad by altering their flights back to the UK faces being struck off.
Matthew Cornford worked as a nurse escort for First Assist Services - an international medical assistance company based in High Street, Purley.
A Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) hearing was told yesterday Cornford extended his stay in locations including Australia, Mexico, Thailand and America, days after medics confirmed his patients were fit to fly; and also left some patients in agony, taking them on flights when they were unfit to fly.
The panel heard Cornford, who worked as a nursing officer between August 2010 and April 2012, submitted false paperwork to extend his stays abroad, and on one occasion delayed a patient's return home so he could catch a lift, knowing he was not needed on board.
Cornford failed to attend the hearing in Central London, but admitted the charges in relation to five patients.
The panel ruled his fitness to practise is impaired by his misconduct and are considering sanctions this morning.
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