NMC panel imposes 18-month practice conditions on nurse Mabel Newton

Findings

This was a New Interim Order Hearing before the NMC's Investigating Committee. The panel decided to make an interim conditions of practice order for 18 months, stating that it did so because the NMC's investigation is at an early stage. The conditions restrict her nursing practice to one substantive employer (not agency or bank work), require direct supervision when managing or administering medication until she is deemed competent to do so independently by another registered nurse, require evidence of a completed medication administration and management competency to be sent to her NMC case officer, and require monthly meetings with her line manager, supervisor or mentor covering medicine management and administration, record keeping and escalating concerns, with a progress report before the next review. The panel noted the order may affect her ability to practise and may cause financial hardship, but determined that the need to protect the public outweighed her interests in that regard. Mrs Newton was present and represented. The order will be reviewed within the next six months and every six months thereafter. The NMC Case Examiners are yet to decide whether there is a case to answer in relation to the allegations made against her.