Former Shellharbour Nurse Deregistered Following Shooting Conviction and Jail Term
A former nurse from Shellharbour has been officially struck off the healthcare register and prohibited from practising for a minimum of twelve months after serving a jail sentence for a serious shooting offence. The New South Wales Civil and Administrative Tribunal (NCAT) made the decisive ruling, cancelling David John Keith Pritchard's registration and imposing a non-review period of one year in connection to the crime committed nearly three years ago.
Details of the Shooting Incident and Legal Proceedings
On the evening of April 25, 2023, Pritchard, who held a valid firearms licence for hunting and pest control purposes, discharged a firearm at a residential property while the victim was present inside the home. At that time, the father of two was employed as a nurse at Goulburn Base Hospital, where he had worked for three years. The incident was reported to police in August 2023, leading to his arrest.
In June 2024, Pritchard pleaded guilty at Goulburn District Court to the charge of firing a firearm at a dwelling with reckless disregard for human safety. He received a three-year prison sentence, backdated to his arrest in August 2023, with a non-parole period of eighteen months. Pritchard had no prior criminal history before this offence.
Professional Background and Previous Disciplinary Issues
Prior to his position at Goulburn Base Hospital, Pritchard worked as a mental health nurse at Shellharbour Hospital following his graduation from the University of Wollongong in 2013. However, he lost that employment due to an incident involving a patient in June 2017. A hearing concerning that matter found he demonstrated "minimal awareness regarding his professional practice" and failed to adhere to policies regarding patient restraint and de-escalation techniques for distressed behaviours.
While still in custody following his arrest for the shooting, Pritchard resigned from his nursing position in September 2023. He was released to parole in February 2025 and, at the time of the NCAT hearing, was receiving welfare payments and performing occasional odd jobs.
NCAT Hearing and Tribunal Findings
The Health Care Complaints Commission (HCCC) sought to have Pritchard's registration cancelled with a twelve-month non-review period, along with legal costs, due to his criminal conviction. During the proceedings, Pritchard, now in his mid-fifties, acknowledged that he could not dispute the cancellation, stating: "I understand that I have brought the nursing profession into disrepute by my offending, but honestly feel that my offending had nothing to do with or affected my nursing practice."
Pritchard informed the tribunal that he was receiving counselling and described himself as strong in his faith. NCAT members noted that his offending was "grave and violent" and acknowledged his early guilty plea and expression of remorse. However, they highlighted his history of anger management problems in the workplace dating back to June 2017, which had placed patient safety at risk.
The tribunal heard that Pritchard had a documented history of alcohol use disorder and explosive anger disorder, along with other mental health concerns. NCAT encouraged him to adhere more closely to a psychologist's treatment plan that had been developed prior to his sentencing. Additionally, the tribunal ordered him to pay eighty percent of the HCCC's legal costs.
Implications for Healthcare Professionals
This case underscores the serious consequences healthcare professionals face when convicted of criminal offences, particularly those involving violence. The tribunal's decision to cancel Pritchard's registration reflects the importance of maintaining public trust in the nursing profession and ensuring patient safety remains paramount. The twelve-month prohibition from applying for review serves as both a disciplinary measure and an opportunity for rehabilitation before any potential return to practice.
