South London Nurse Permanently Banned Over Racist Social Media Activity and Neighbour Harassment
A South London nurse has been permanently removed from the nursing register after a disciplinary panel found she had engaged in a sustained pattern of racist behaviour and harassment, including endorsing Islamophobic content online. The Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) concluded that Lyn Villarin Nelson's actions represented "significant departures" from professional standards and demonstrated a "lack of remorse and insight into her behaviour".
Social Media Misconduct and Discriminatory Remarks
The fitness-to-practise hearing, which concluded on January 14 2026, examined multiple incidents occurring between 2016 and 2018 involving the former adult nurse from Sutton. Central to the case was evidence showing Nelson had engaged with offensive social media content, including an image of a chicken dressed in a hijab captioned "Dressed to kill".
The panel reviewed her response of "love your comment" and "I almost fell off the settee laughing my head off", determining that this reaction encouraged religious discrimination by linking Muslim dress to violence. Nearly 200 pages of Facebook evidence were submitted to the hearing, with Nelson admitting authorship of some posts while claiming others had been manipulated - assertions the panel rejected.
Pattern of Racist Behaviour and Patient Confidentiality Breach
The NMC panel upheld multiple charges of racist conduct, including an incident where Nelson remarked that a neighbour's "gran has monkey brains" in the presence of mixed-race children. The panel concluded this was objectively racist and racially motivated.
Furthermore, the nurse was found to have breached patient confidentiality between 2016 and 2017 by mocking a Muslim patient's dignity during conversations with neighbours. Witnesses reported she laughed about the patient being embarrassed after having his private parts shaved for medical procedures.
Sustained Harassment and Body-Shaming Incidents
The hearing revealed a broader pattern of abusive behaviour toward neighbours, including body-shaming insults where Nelson called someone a "lump of lard" during incidents between 2017 and 2018. She accepted directing this comment at a neighbour during separate county court proceedings.
On another occasion, Nelson was proved to have suggested a neighbour "must be a prostitute" because she had a red solar-powered light on her house. The panel determined these comments formed part of a wider harassment campaign that raised fundamental questions about her professionalism.
Limited Remorse and Professional Consequences
Despite expressing some regret over her social media posts, Nelson denied the patient confidentiality incident occurred and told panel members: "I have nothing further to add" during the hearing process. The NMC concluded this demonstrated insufficient insight into the seriousness of her behaviour.
The regulatory body stated: "Mrs Nelson's actions were significant departures from the standards expected of a registered nurse. The regulatory concerns raise fundamental questions about her professionalism." They determined her conduct reflected "deep-seated attitudinal issues" that undermined public confidence in the nursing profession.
Striking Off Order and Appeal Process
The NMC imposed the most severe sanction available - permanent removal from the nursing register - meaning Nelson can no longer practise as a registered nurse. She had been practising as an adult nurse since June 21 2017.
To cover the appeal period, the panel also imposed an 18-month interim suspension order. The striking-off order takes effect after the 28-day appeal window, during which the interim suspension prevents her from practising. The case had progressed through county court proceedings in 2021 before reaching the full fitness-to-practise hearing.
A separate allegation from 2022, in which Nelson reportedly used Islamophobic language toward someone, was not proved due to the witness's non-attendance. However, the panel found the substantial body of other evidence sufficient to justify the permanent ban.
