Once again Nursing Standard have shone a light on the poor process by NMC particularly around vexatious referrals and lack of transparency over lessons learnt.
Ms Hindle, a nurse of more than 20 years, who now works as a complex care nurse supporting home care teams, told Nursing Standard that she felt ‘mentally destroyed’ by the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) fitness to practise (FtP) process, which was ‘abusive’, ‘shambolic’ and ‘uncaring’.
‘It leaves you damaged, yet there is no recourse to the NMC for what you have been through, even though it nearly cost me my life. I’ve never had an apology’
‘The process isn’t fit for purpose,’ she said. ‘The length of time it takes and the lack of ability for the NMC to recognise when it is vexatious.’
‘It leaves you damaged, yet there is no recourse to the NMC for what you have been through, even though it nearly cost me my life. I’ve never had an apology"
The judge Alan Bates told of poor review of evidence, lack of governance around length of process and poor assessment of evidence and that the evidence should have been considered with caution due to inconsistencies. he went on to say that the people alleging poor conduct had grouped together to cause. mischief and the NMC ignored evidence from the deputy head of pastoral at the employer who attested as such.
Process went on for 6 years causing huge effect on Laura's mental health and career.
She discussed her experiences with us in a couple of podcasts
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yZziTvU8Ghs to discuss the appeal success
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ixA8V2K94Qg one year on