Nurse Who Demonstrated A Lack Of Basic Anatomical Knowledge Found Guilty Of Misconduct, UK

Main Category: Litigation / Medical Malpractice
Also Included In: Nursing / Midwifery
Article Date: 22 Nov 2007 - 3:00 PDT

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A 53 year old nurse from Birmingham who was found guilty of a string of allegations of misconduct which occurred between May and July 2005 will no longer be able to work as a nurse.

Yvonne Zanele Cemane was employed at Rylands Nursing and Residential Home at the time she was charged with 8 counts of misconduct between including a number of instances where she failed to demonstrate an appropriate level of anatomical knowledge, failed to take appropriate precautions when dealing with a patient with MRSA and failed to respect the dignity of a patient who was incontinent.

Following a two day hearing ending yesterday, an independent panel of the Nursing and Midwifery Council's (NMC) Conduct and Competence Committee found that her fitness to practise was impaired and determined that her name should be struck from the NMC register.

Commenting on the outcome of the hearing, NMC spokesperson Leila Harris said,

"The panel reached this conclusion having given regard to the seriousness of the offences, particularly in relation to a vulnerable patient. Their decision reflects a fundamental breach of the standards of basic nursing care and to keep this person on the register would mean a continued risk to patients. The panel has a duty to act in the public interest and to preserve the public's confidence in the profession."

Notes:

1. 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 682,000. The Nursing and Midwifery Order 2001 (The Order), sets out the NMC's role and responsibilities.

2. The independent panel is selected from a pool of individuals appointed by the Appointments Board. They come from a variety of backgrounds and are not NMC Council members, nor do they sit on any committee of the Council.

Nursing and Midwifery Council

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