District nurse causes stir with saucy novel

Author Kathleen Pugh

A DISTRICT nurse penned a steamy tale of a health visitor bedding a dying patient before killing him — and sold her book to patients, a tribunal heard.

Kathleen Pugh (53), of Chadderton Hall Road, Chadderton, wrote a short story called “Angel with Black Wings” about a nurse seducing a terminally-ill man before administering a lethal injection, it is said.

One patient who bought the book from Pugh said she was disgusted by the story, which mirrored Pugh’s work as a nurse, said Paul Pretty, for the Nursing and Midwifery Counci.

Pugh is facing a misconduct hearing after her bosses at Pennine Care NHS Foundation Trust read the collection of fantasy stories called “Aristocracy or Not, and other stories”.

The book, published by Author House in 2010, includes the tale of Angela Diablo, a health visitor treating a dying patient who dreams of having sex with her.

Team leader Susan Kearns, Pugh’s line manager, said: “I was concerned by the content of the book, which appeared to be based on her work as a district nurse.

Pugh is accused of putting up posters in the clinic at Royal Oldham Hospital advertising her book, handing copies to patients and staff, and selling the book to at least one patient.

Pugh denies all charges, but decided not to attend the hearing in central London.

“Ms Pugh denies giving the book away or selling it to patients, and says it is a work of science-fiction fantasy,” said Mr Pretty.

Pugh denies putting up posters at work and contests that her fitness to practice as a nurse is impaired.

The hearing continues.


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