Dean Westwood, a 54-year-old NHS worker from Rubery, found his life unravel when a secret affair with a patient at Bushey Fields Hospital in Dudley came to light. The relationship, which he had kept hidden from his wife, ended in June 2023 after the woman realised Westwood would not leave his spouse. Subsequently, she made an allegation against him to the NHS trust where he was employed, leading to his suspension.
Court proceedings at Wolverhampton Crown Court revealed that following his suspension, Westwood disclosed the affair to his wife, a revelation that deeply affected his family life. In an attempt to address the situation, Westwood visited the mother of his former mistress in Stourbridge, where the two women lived next to each other.
The prosecutor, Lal Amarsinghe, detailed that Westwood rang the doorbell but initially avoided being fully seen by the security camera. After the mother answered via her mobile phone and ended the conversation upon recognising him, Westwood later returned and removed the doorbell.
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Later that evening, Westwood confronted the mother as she prepared to leave in her daughter’s car. Armed with a hammer, he warned her not to get into the vehicle and struck the car door while alleging that she was responsible for “f****** safeguarding” issues. He then demanded to know the whereabouts of his former mistress, attempted to seize the mother’s phone, and forcibly pulled her from the car. Westwood was subsequently arrested at his home.
Defence lawyer Philip Brunt explained that Westwood had no intention of further contact with the family and expressed remorse for his actions. Mr Brunt described the incident as out of character and isolated, attributing it to the emotional turmoil following the affair’s exposure and subsequent allegations by his ex-mistress.
Westwood lost his NHS position but has since secured employment in maintenance. During sentencing, Recorder Williams KC acknowledged the significant impact the events had on Westwood’s life. The defendant, who pleaded guilty to theft and affray and has a history of good character, received a 22-month prison sentence suspended for 18 months. Additional penalties included a 20-day rehabilitation activity programme, 170 hours of unpaid work, and a five-year restraining order imposed on August 17.
This case highlights the complexities and consequences that can arise from breaches of professional boundaries within healthcare settings.