Axe Wielding Nurse Struck Off, UK

Main Category: Nursing / Midwifery
Also Included In: Litigation / Medical Malpractice
Article Date: 14 Dec 2007 - 2:00 PDT

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A 60 year-old nurse from Kent was yesterday struck off the register after being convicted for manslaughter for killing her husband with an axe.

An independent panel of the Nursing & Midwifery Council (NMC) heard that on 11 January 2006 at Maidstone Crown Court, Wadaanahalugedera Chandrasekera was convicted of manslaughter and later sentenced to a three year community punishment order.

The incident occurred in October 2005, when Chandrasekera discovered her husband had fathered a child with her niece.

An panel of the NMC's Conduct and Competence Committee found Chandrasekera's fitness to practise was impaired by reason of her conviction, stating that all registrants must obey the laws of the country.

Stephanie Guyett, NMC spokesperson said,

"Chandrasekera has brought disrepute to her profession by being convicted of committing a serious crime. The Code of Conduct clearly states that nurses and midwives must behave in a way that upholds the reputation of the profession, and this includes behaviour even if it is not directly connected to their professional practice.The public has the right to expect nurses and midwives to act in a trustworthy manner, which this nurse has failed to do."

The Nursing & 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 682,000. The Nursing and Midwifery Order 2001 (The Order), sets out the NMC's role and responsibilities.

Nursing & Midwifery Council