Nurse avoids NMC suspension

Kings View persuaded a NMC fitness to practise panel to impose the least serious sanction in a case relating to issue of drug administration and dishonesty.

In a case that has been ongoing for some years, our client LM faced a fitness to practise hearing relating to issues of drug administration and associated dishonesty.  In the circumstances of the case, the LM partially admitted the allegations.

After submissions by NMC defence barrister, Catherine Stock, the fitness to practise panel concluded that LM’s fitness to practise relating to public safety was not impaired.  Catherine’s submission included a comprehensive reflective piece on behalf of LM.

The fitness to practise panel found LM’s fitness to practice impaired on the lesser issue of public confidence in the nursing profession.

In light of this, the NMC’s sanction bid was a suspension order for four months.  However, further submissions from Ms Stock persuaded the panel to impose the NMC’s least serious and restrictive sanction – a Caution Order.

“A caution order is only appropriate if the Fitness to Practise Committee has decided there’s no risk to the public or to patients requiring the nurse practice to be restricted, meaning the case is at the lower end of the spectrum of impaired fitness to practise.”

LM, commenting on the outcome of his case, said:

“I was looking for specialist lawyers who were well vested in regulatory law.  One call was all it took to connect me with Catharine Stock.  Working with her, she provided guidance and emotional support.

 

“She’s been a good communicator.  She was able to point to me the pitfalls of the case, but still maintained the optimism of a positive outcome.

 

“Thank you so much Catherine.”

Value of early engagement and reflective piece

Kings View has been working with LM for a number of years, offering guidance and reassurance.

The panel commented particularly on LM’s insight and his reflective piece saying:

“…the panel considered that in your reflective piece, you have demonstrated, in depth, a high level of insight, specifically relating to your dishonest conduct.”

Ms Stock, commenting on this case, said:

“We worked with the registrant throughout offering guidance and reassurance. He commented about our wealth ok knowledge as well as the support we provided and that we kept fighting for him.

 

“It is so important to contact us early, we can really help with everything.”