Sanctioned: Nurse whose blunder at Northwick Park Hospital contributed to a patient’s death
The patient died at Northwick Park Hospital - Credit: Archant
A nurse at Northwick park Hospital who contributed to a patient’s death by injecting drugs rather than administering them nasally has been allowed to continue practising.
Chumitrah Vijendra was caring for the 84-year-old on the hospital’s Herrick Ward when she made the astonishing blunder in February 2011.
The nurse admitted the error contributed to the death of the patient or at least contributed to him losing a significant chance of survival at the Nursing and Midwifery Council.
Last week, the NMC panel decided it was not in the public interest to place conditions of practice on Vijendra or boot her out of the profession despite the death.
She has been given a three year caution order instead.
Emma Boothroyd, the panel’s chairwoman, said: “You have demonstrated significant insight into your misconduct and have expressed genuine remorse for your past behaviour.
“Having heard you give evidence the panel is confident repetition of your mistake in administering oral medication intravenously is highly unlikely to occur.
Most Read
- 1 Man in stable condition following collision with a van in Neasden
- 2 Guilty: Man killed father who defended son from knife attack in Willesden
- 3 New Brent baby bank to support 40 families per week
- 4 'Security alert' at Willesden Junction causing severe delays on TfL network
- 5 Primary school pupils approached by 'man in a van' in attempted abduction
- 6 Motorcyclist, 34, dies at Staples Corner Flyover
- 7 Jailed: Brent gangsters who shot a man in his stomach at close range
- 8 Wembley fitness instructor stopped man taking his own life
- 9 Possible traffic disruptions in north London this week
- 10 ULEZ anomaly at Wembley Ikea meaning no £12.50-a-day emission fee
“The panel is also confident that the public interest and maintaining the public’s trust in the profession does not require the imposition of a more restrictive sanction, particularly one that would prevent you from practicing.
“The public interest includes retaining the services of a committed and competent nurse within the healthcare system. The panel was satisfied having read all of the references that you are such a nurse.
“The panel has decided that a caution order for a period of three years would be the appropriate and proportionate sanction.”
Vijendra will have to notify her current, or any prospective, employer that her fitness to practice was found to be impaired and that her registration is subject to the three year caution order.
