Nursing and Midwifery Council determination — substantive hearing
NMC orders Suzanne Tuffnell struck off after bullying and patient-safety findings
The panel found continuing impairment. Two particulars were not proved, and two further proved particulars did not reach the serious-misconduct threshold.
MedicWatch editorial · Published 25 August 2026 · Updated 22 September 2026
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Concerning Suzanne Tuffnell, nurse (Nursing and Midwifery Council 07G1261E).
Decision date: 25 August 2026 · Hearing started 18 June 2026 and ended 25 August 2026
In plain English
The NMC panel decided to strike Suzanne Tuffnell off after findings of bullying and harassment and leaving a clinical unit without adequate communication. Two particulars were not proved, and two further proved particulars did not amount to serious misconduct. The panel found continuing impairment and insufficient insight or remediation. A separate interim suspension covers the appeal period.
Charges
Charges concerned bullying and harassment of a colleague through derogatory remarks, intimidating behaviour and unwanted physical contact, as well as repeatedly leaving a clinical unit without informing staff or being contactable. Separate allegations concerned supervision and the handling of a colleague’s private circumstances.
Findings
Charges 10 and 14a were not proved. The remaining particulars were proved, but harassment under charge 15 was proved only in relation to charges 2–9 and 11–13. Proved particulars 14b and 14c did not amount to serious misconduct. The other relevant proved conduct amounted to misconduct, with current impairment on public protection and public interest grounds. The panel found limited insight, little meaningful remediation and a real risk of repetition. It ordered striking off and a separate 18-month interim suspension; absent appeal, striking off takes effect 28 days after written notice.
Mitigating and aggravating factors
Mitigating factors
• Evidence of attendance at a relevant training course on bullying and harassment in the work place • Four positive testimonials expressing appreciation of her work • The panel noted Mrs Tuffnell’s account that she had a stressful period at work, that she had been dealing with [PRIVATE] and had suffered a recent bereavement. The panel decided to apply limited weight to this as there was an absence of corroborating material or supporting evidence.
Aggravating factors
• Her conduct put vulnerable children at risk of harm • She has shown little insight or remediation • A pattern of misconduct over a period of time, continuing despite being brought to her attention twice • She was a senior, experienced nurse with leadership responsibilities
Source
All facts on this page are drawn from the publicly published Nursing and Midwifery Council determination linked below. MedicWatch does not editorialise the regulator’s findings.
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