Drug-error nurse can continue working

A South Staffordshire nurse who threw away a patient's medication by mistake can continue to work in the profession despite admitting misconduct.

Debbie Hall, from Codsall, who worked at Edgeview nursing home in Kinver, admitted three counts of maladministration of drugs at a Nursing and Midwifery Council hearing in Birmingham.

The 34-year-old also admitted professional impairment following her dismissal from the care home in May 2007.

In September 2006 Mrs Hall mistakenly disposed of 117 tablets, which were used to treat a patient suffering from epilepsy.

The conduct and competence committee heard yesterday how an emergency dose of the tablets was obtained which meant the patient came to no harm but without the medication he could have had a seizure.

Mrs Hall, who was in charge of 24 patients, was given a verbal warning for her error but two months later the qualified learning disabilities nurse almost gave a patient too many tablets.

A fellow nurse at the Comber Road home found two extra tablets on a window ledge after the patient had already been given the correct dosage.

Following a disciplinary hearing, Mrs Hall was given a final written warning and two months of supervision.

In March 2007, Mrs Hall signed a drug sheet to say medication had been administered to a patient when they had not.

After another hearing, Mrs Hall was dismissed from her role in May 2007.

She was given a Condition of Practice order which means she can continue to work as a registered nurse if she successfully completes an administration of medicine course. She must also notify the Nursing and Midwifery Council when she starts working as a nurse again and must be supervised for the first six weeks.

The order will remain in effect for three years.