Nurse Who Assaulted Wife In Front Of Children Struck Off, UK

Main Category: Medical Malpractice / Litigation
Also Included In: Nursing / Midwifery
Article Date: 16 May 2008 - 3:00 PDT

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A 42 year old nurse from Croydon has been struck off the register following a hearing before an independent panel of the Conduct and Competence Committee for the Nursing & Midwifery Council (NMC).

In January 2006 Paul Baah was sentenced at the Wimbledon Magistrates Court to six months jail for assaulting his wife, Akua Baah, an act that was witnessed by the couple's children. The assault and resulting conviction breaches the NMC's Code of professional conduct which states that a registrant must adhere to the laws of the land and act in such a way as to justify the public trust and confidence in the profession.

When finding their decision, the independent panel considered that although Mr Baah's actions caused no patient harm, it did cause physical harm to his then wife who required hospitalisation.

Mr Baah, who has now remarried, also failed to supply any testimonials from colleagues or an employer to support his case or vouch for his character.

Commenting on the panel's decision, NMC spokesperson Kristy Hempel said;

"Mr Baah's behaviour towards his wife and subsequent conviction is a serious departure from the standards set out in the Code. The panel were not persuaded that Mr Baah had any insight into his behaviour or saw any evidence that he had taken rehabilitative steps through counselling or anger management courses. As such, the panel deemed it necessary in the interests of the public and to uphold confidence in the profession that Mr Baah be struck off."

The Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) is the UK regulator for two professions, nursing and midwifery. The primary purpose of the NMC is protection of the public. It does this through maintaining a register of all nurses, midwives and specialist community public health nurses eligible to practice within the UK and by setting standards for their education, training and conduct. Currently the number of registrants exceeds 674,000. The Nursing and Midwifery Order 2001 (The Order), sets out the NMC's role and responsibilities.

Nursing and Midwifery Council