Professor Stephen Hawking's former nurse struck off over care

Professor Stephen Hawking’s former nurse has been struck off for failures over his care and financial misconduct.

Patricia Dowdy, 61, worked for the renowned Cambridge University physicist for 15 years.

Mrs Dowdy had faced multiple misconduct charges in relation to the care she was providing to Prof Hawking – including financial misconduct, dishonesty, not providing appropriate care, failing to cooperate with the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) and not having the correct qualifications.

Following the result, Matthew McClelland, director of fitness to practise at the NMC, said: “The panel has found Mrs Dowdy failed to provide the standards of good, professional care that we expect and Professor Hawking deserved.

“As a result, Mrs Dowdy will no longer be able to practise as a nurse.

“We have remained in close contact with the Hawking family throughout this case and I am grateful to them and others for sharing their concerns with us.”

A spokesperson for the Hawking family said they had complete confidence in the NMC and its thorough investigation, and trusted it would come to an independent conclusion based on the facts in the case.

Prof Hawking, who battle motor neurone disease, died on March 14, 2018, aged 76.