Final panel decision: should a former nurse be granted restoration to the nursing register after a striking-off order? | nursing times

Find out how the NMC panel acted in this case. Not yet read the case? Read the charge and background here The panel decided to allow the application subject to Nurse A’s successful

completion of a return to practice course. The panel recognised its duty to protect the public and maintain public confidence. The panel bore in mind that Nurse A was responsible for

satisfying that they were able to practise safely and effectively. The panel was impressed that Nurse A remained in a health and care setting after the previous events and was confident that

Nurse A was passionate about caring for individuals. The panel considered Nurse A’s level of insight. It was not convinced that Nurse A was fully aware of the potential impact of their past

shortcomings. The panel noted Nurse A’s current employment, working with vulnerable patients in both a mental health setting and a neurodisability setting. Such patients require Nurse A to

be an advocate for them. The panel also noted the extremely positive written references and thank you notes provided to it. The panel was satisfied that Nurse A had reflected on their past

mistakes. It considered that Nurse A’s references demonstrate their caring and compassionate nature. The panel was reassured that Nurse A was fit and proper to advocate for vulnerable

individuals. The panel considered that the charges that led to Nurse A’s striking-off were not incompatible with restoration to the register. The panel considered the context of the previous

striking-off order. The panel noted that since Nurse A was struck off, they had been working in a health and care setting, and had made efforts to keep their knowledge up-to-date. The panel

was satisfied that Nurse A demonstrated clear remediation through their current practice. The panel determined that Nurse A was safe to return to practice as a registered nurse, subsequent

to completing an appropriate return to practice course. The panel was mindful of maintaining public confidence in the profession and upholding the proper standards required of a registered

nurse. The panel further considered that it was in the public interest to restore to the register an otherwise compassionate, caring and committed nurse. The panel considered, on the basis

of Nurse A’s present levels of insight, remorse and remediation, and upon the successful completion of a return to practice course, that it was unlikely that Nurse A would, in future, fall

below the standards expected of a registered nurse, and was fit and proper to practise as a registered nurse. The panel was satisfied that the public interest had been met by the previous

striking-off order. The panel acknowledged that Nurse A had not practised as a registered nurse for a few years and no longer met the NMC registration requirements. However, the panel

determined to allow Nurse A’s application for restoration subject to their completion of a return to practice course and paying the prescribed fee. The panel did not consider it necessary to

impose a conditions of practice order as an addition to the requirements of Nurse A’s registration.