Weekly news review for 3-9 January

Date:10/01/2011

A round-up of news and fitness to practise hearings from last week

NMC in the news

Scotland to begin regulating healthcare support workers

Nursing Standard last week reported that Scotland will be the first country in the UK to introduce mandatory training standards and a code of practice for healthcare support workers. The induction standards will come into force in three months and will include risk assessment, safeguarding patients, whistleblowing and developing knowledge and practice.

Nursing Standard also reported on the NMC’s plans to explore options for regulating assistant practitioners. You can read about the discussions in the papers for the council meeting of 9 December 2010.

NMC response to NNRU research on suspended staff

Research from the National Nursing Research Unit found that many suspended nurses have been left feeling confused, unsupported and disillusioned with the profession as a result of disciplinary action against them. The research looked at 68 studies relating to poor performance and was commissioned by the National Clinical Assessment Service.

Jackie Smith, Director of Fitness to Practise, welcomed the publication of the research, encouraging “any new measures aimed at identifying such failures at the earliest possible stage”.

Fedant to provide a national register of antenatal educators

The Federation of Antenatal Educators (Fedant) aims to protect the public by providing a national register of validated professionals in the field of antenatal education. The organisation, which works closely with the NMC and other regulatory bodies, offers a registration service for qualified antenatal educators.

You can read more about Fedant on their website: http://www.fedant.org

Fitness to Practise news

The Council heard 23 cases last week, issuing:

8 interim suspension orders for 18 months
1 interim conditions of practice order for 18 months

2 suspension orders:

Joseph Mathoko was suspended for 12 months for incorrectly administering a rectal suppository orally to a patient.
Archibald Gwasavanhu was suspended for 9 months following the receipt of a police caution for withholding information in order to obtain motor insurance.

2 striking off orders:

Dawn Patricia Bennett received a striking off order following the review of a prior conditions of practice order
Carol Noonan received a striking off order and interim suspension order for 18 months (to cover appeal period) following her conviction at Manchester Crown Court on charges of theft, possession and supply of a Class C drug.

More information and full reasons can be found on the hearings and outcomes table for January.