We represented Nurse D, who was referred to the NMC for dishonestly providing a false employment reference when applying for a nursing role. D admitted to the dishonest conduct prior to the referral.
The NMC’s investigator recommended that there was a case to answer for D, which given the nature of the case would have resulted in the matter proceeding to the Fitness to Practise Committee for adjudication. However, the Case Examiners considered that D’s reflections demonstrated her sincere remorse, her extensive insight into the concerns and evidence of remediation. They decided that whilst the facts would be proved at a hearing (by admission), it was unlikely that a panel would find D’s fitness to practise currently impaired. She was issued with a warning that will remain on the public register for 12 months.
Cases like Nurse D’s underscore the importance of engagement in the fitness to practise process and, where allegations can be admitted, demonstrating a deep understanding of the regulatory concerns, as well as how the risk of repetition has been reduced.
