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Nurse A told the panel that they worked as a senior care assistant. They then worked as a nurse under supervision before working unsupervised as a nurse, during which time Nurse A held the keys for the medication cabinet.
The panel identified the following aggravating factors:
- A lack of sufficient knowledge of the English Language necessary to practise safely and effectively;
- Nurse A only practised unsupervised as a nurse for a period of two weeks;
- Nurse A’s IELTS test scores fall well below the required standard particularly their written score;
- There was a real risk of harm to patients;
- There was a risk of repetition.
The panel identified the following mitigating factors:
- They have engaged with these proceedings;
- They are currently practising as a senior healthcare assistant;
- They have provided a positive reference;
- They have kept up to date with their clinical training as a senior healthcare assistant;
- There was no evidence of any direct patient harm;
- The charge was remediable;
- They have expressed a willingness to improve their practice.
The panel first considered whether to take no action but concluded that this would be inappropriate in view of the seriousness of the case.
Next, the panel considered that a caution order would be inappropriate in view of the public protection concerns identified in this case.
The panel next concluded that placing conditions on their registration would not adequately address the seriousness of this case and would not protect the public.
The panel then considered that a suspension order would restrict their practice as a registered nurse but would enable them to practise in the future without restriction should their language skills reach the standard required by the NMC. The panel concluded that their lack of knowledge in the English language was not fundamentally incompatible with them continuing to be a registered nurse and that the public interest considerations in this case could be satisfied by a suspension order. Additionally, the panel concluded that such an outcome would adequately protect the public.
In light of this, the panel has determined that a suspension order for a period of 12 months was sufficient for Nurse A to work towards achieving the standard of English language required for safe and effective practise.