We have often discussed the disparity between those who have union representation and those who do not as well as those who can afford private legal support and those that can't afford it.

Many nurses and midwives will not take out union membership as they do not understand the importance of it or, if struggling financially need to put the £15-£18 per month membership fees to other more pressing bills.

Those who are not represented often will get a more severe sanctions

We know of one of our group who had a minor conditions of practice order a few years ago but chose to leave the profession and pursue another career. This week her case came up for review and she was struck off the nursing register. The glaring comment in the hearings notes was that she was not present and not represented. Other than an early review of the CoP she had stopped engaging with the process and lately informed them she was no longer going to work as a nurse. It is a  sad face that currently the only way to enable a nurse undergoing process is to strike them off. Particularly when the charges that originate would never justify a strike off order if heard by a panel and a registrant who engaged.

Those undergoing FtP will have a second victim type response, they will not safeguard themselves and will not always make the best decision for themselves. The process needs to safeguard them and ensure as much is done as possible to assist them to engage or at least communicate their intensions so a humane outcome can be made and not a carte blanch removal.

 This week we are continuing with the representation of a mental health nurse who has a FtP hearing scheduled for the New Year. The case is linked with another nurse - both of whom triaged a patient attending the local A&E who later died.
They attended out of good will as the initial assessment over the telephone indicated no risk
Local teams version of events have proved to be inaccurate at best and misleading at worst but 4 years on she is facing a FtP hearing.
The other nurse has union representation - she does not so faced having to fund the 2 pre hearings, case conferences and the following 13day hearing herself.
She is considering leaving the profession but wishes to get her side heard
She is aware without representation she likely faces strike off but she has little finances to be able to fund this. 
What state are we in when the difference between the right outcome and strike off is if you can afford representation?? How is this justice?
In a process that is legally driven despite it being advertised as "person centred" the situation is the same for many
We are going to try to help her as long as we can
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