Double Jobbing Nurse Cautioned For Dishonesty, UK

Main Category: Litigation / Medical Malpractice
Also Included In: Nursing / Midwifery
Article Date: 04 Jul 2008 - 3:00 PDT

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A 32 year old registered nurse from Newcastle upon Tyne has been cautioned by the independent Conduct and Competence Committee panel for the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) for dishonesty.

Herdwick Mushava was issued with a five year caution order by her profession's regulator after admitting one offence of deception by fraudulently claiming sickness pay, for which she received a police caution. Mushava received £1059.59 in sickness pay from the Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Trust between November 2005 and February 2006 while she worked on 17 occasions elsewhere as an agency nurse.

The panel noted that the allegation was a serious criminal offence and her actions posed a potential risk to patients by her absence from a unit which had a high nurse to patient ratio. The panel also took into account the circumstances surrounding Mushava's offence and the considerable pressure on her to maximise her earnings to support her family both in the UK and in Zimbabwe. Testimonials from Mushava's previous and current employers also described her as a competent nurse.

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

"Honesty is of paramount importance and when deciding the sanction the panel were mindful of the professional Code of conduct, which states that a nurse must 'uphold the reputation of the profession' and 'be trustworthy'. Although the panel found her fitness to practise was impaired, Mushava expressed remorse for her actions and demonstrated a commitment to her profession by completing further qualifications at her own expense since the incident. The panel concluded that the public interest would be best served by issuing a five year caution order and allowing a competent nurse to benefit the public by continuing in the profession."

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 practise within the UK and by setting standards for their education, training and conduct. Currently the number of registrants exceeds 677,000. The Nursing and Midwifery Order 2001 (The Order), sets out the NMC's role and responsibilities.

Nursing and Midwifery Council