To want to want to know the NMC investigation stages

[Sunshineglitterandbubbles]

AIBU to wish the NMC website contained more information than it does.

Unfortunately I had to report a nurse to the NMC. The NMC asked for evidence 5 weeks ago, I supplied this. Then they arranged an appointment with one of their doctors, this is scheduled for 2 weeks time. Yesterday they sent a consent for to access all my medical records.

Last night I realised I have an appointment and that nurse will probably me there.

Do you think at this stage the NMC might have told them an allegation has been made?

I know it is probably a bit unreasonable to expect a website to explain everything

What did you report them for? I would imagine they are aware there has been a complaint made and suspect that they will not be at your appointment. When is your appointment?

I reported them for falsifying medical records, and being a bit racist.

I feel awful, and I would have much rather had an apology at the time. The inaccuracies in my medical records have had a devastating impact on my life, so I just want someone to take my concerns seriously.

I’m almost certain the nurse will be aware of the allegation and probably also which patient it involves. The regulatory bodies are very open with those being investigated.

Can you contact the place where your appointment is and explain the situation?

Yes, the nurse will know. And know who it is who has complained. She has to be allowed to defend herself so to see notes, recall conversations, etc.

Thank you for sharing your views.

I don't have time to contact anyone at the place. My appointment is at 8.30am on Tuesday, so I dont think there is any time to change anything.

I will need to go and hope for the best

Yes she will know. She has a right to so she can defend the allegation. Nothing will be secret from her.

She’ll probably be at work, but I’m sure she’d sooner disappear up her own bum than be present in your appointment so I wouldn’t worry about it.

It doesn’t sound like you are at the hearing stage of the process. That is when you will be sat in front of the panel and the nurse will be present with her representation.
The appointment with the doctor is likely part of the initial screen process where they gather information and evidence to see if there is enough to go to a fitness to practice panel.
They will also look at whether the nurse as altered their practice etc... since you raised the concern.
The nurse is informed as soon as a concern is raised. As an employer we either suspend the nurse (depending on what is being accused) or they are on restricted duties.
Like I say though until you get to the actual hearing you will not be in the same room as the nurse. Even then outside of the panel room you are kept separately so would never see them unaccompanied or in an informal setting.

Please contact your Union rep. They can guide and support you through this difficult time. Good luck.

@Howvery

I hope the NMC does a better job keeping their nurses and midwifes informed about the process, and what could happen next.

They sent me an initial leaflet saying we we will look into it, and we may decide to investigate.
Since then they have asked for increasing amounts of information, and aranged a doctors appointments....but the NMC has not told me if my complaint has reached the investigation stage

I can just assume with everything that has happened they are investigating.

I do not think it should be a secret once the NMC is investigation. Its a job, a way to feed your family, something all nurses care about, something that took alot of training and sacrifice. When so much is on the line nurses should have every chance to defend themselves. :)

I just don't want that nurse writing anymore untrue stuff in my medical records. It is probably best for both of us, if we just stayed apart until the NMC investigation is over.

Be aware that the NMC is generally very slow during its investigation of charges.

I have been through it myself & it was awful.
I did nothing wrong as a Staff Nurse but asked to be taken off the register for reasons of ill health when I had a psychotic breakdown & I felt I could no longer work as a nurse.
The NMC decided to investigate my illness in 2015 before I could leave the register.
The 'charges' were my mental illnesses!!
The threat was that I would be struck off & my reputation ruined rather than be allowed to leave the register for health reasons.

Anyway I got free representation from a solicitor thanks to the RCN. I had to see an NMC approved psychiatrist but after a YEAR of investigations I was dropped from the register with my reputation intact as they said that if I recovered my health I could do the return to nursing course. But currently my health is still not good & I don't want to work as a nurse again. Ever.

Well that's my story.
As you have actually reported this nurse you should be updated regularly as to the progress of your case but as I said it will take ages especially if the nurse gets a solicitor to help her fight the charges.

In my view the NMC are very incompetent too - they promised that my case would be kept secret as it related to my mental health rather than any wrongdoing. But when I googled my name a page from the NMC investigation came up! They apologised but it was a few weeks before it was removed.

The cases are almost always put on the NMC website as a warning to other Nurses (mine wasn't though), the nurse is always named but the patient / complainant is not publicly named and their details are kept secret as per confidentiality rules.
I think the nurse charged is not even informed of the complainants name at all.

I think you have done the correct thing to report this nurse as falsifying records is really bad so is behaving in a racist manner.
I'm just bitter because I was a good nurse yet the NMC treated me like a criminal for getting ill.

Please contact your Union rep.

What union rep? OP’s the complainant not the nurse.

I think you have done the correct thing to report this nurse as falsifying records is really bad so is behaving in a racist manner.

If that is what the nurse did. The investigation hasn’t taken place yet.

Did you report it to the nurses place of work? That should really be your first port of call. And would probably get it investigated quicker.

I'm a health care professional and the sooner "they" tape or film all consultations the better. For everyones sake.
(Obv not going to film intimate exams but they could still audio record?).
Also what does "a bit racist" mean? If it's racism its racism.

Agree with @Toddlerteaplease

Unfortunately as a nurse manager I have experience of dealing with internal investigations. They tend to take place v quickly in order to feed back to the complainant. Part of this process may include referral on to NMC should there be concerns about safety to practice or non compliance with the NMC code of conduct.

I don't have any experience of dealing directly with the NMC so can't advise about what their process is but if you get in touch they should be able to break it down for you to reduce anxiety around what will happen when etc.

I'm guessing the NMC will inform her of everything?

@Toddlerteaplease

Stage 1 2017- Complained to NHS Trust

I complained that nurse had wrong allergy information, told me what race I was (I am mixed race(black african+ asian)and they insisted I was black Caribbean because I "looked carribean"). They also said the police charged me with harassment. They said I refused to attend outpatient appointments..ignoring the fact that I was in hospital miles away with a broken rib and lung puncture.

I got a generic "We apologise for the distress caused, but we accept information from third parties in good faith"

Stage 2 2018-Complained to ICO
The ICO said that the organisation has a duty to correct the errors, and ensure medical records are accurate.
The trust was also told they must explain were they got the third party information from, and what steps they took to ensure it was accurate

Stage 3- Complained to Trust again!
Nurse refused to correct errors as the ICO ordered because everything written was a "clinical opinion". Trust said the nurse has to do it because they made the entry and no one else can edit the entries.

Anaphalaxis due to being given a drug I was allergic to. Trust said no harm was intended, and there was nothing in my medical records to suggest I was allergic to that drug

Stage 4-Complaint to NMC

My ideal solution would be for the Trust to just add a note to my medical records, explaining my objections...Instead I am now left to report a nurse in order to get something done

Recorded can not be changed after the event. They can only add an addendum. That the record is incorrect.

Like pp says records cannot be altered, edited or amended.
With the allergy incident it's hard to say why it wasnt in your notes or on your drug chart
There is quite a lot of identifying information in your posts.

I would not want it changed..because it would not explain why certain decisions were made.

I do however want an addendum added, but the nurse has refused to do this. (They probably have their own reasons)

But..I have the right to have accurate records. The ICO has said it should be altered.

I think that at this point the Information Governance people should have stepped in and just sorted out the records.

The allergy thing happened because the nurse refused to amend the allergy information previously documented.

Did a doctor or pharmacist have the authority or responsibility to ask about allergies and make sure the info was correct.

And this catalogue of errors is all down to one nurse? Really?

I'm sorry you feel like this. I'm not sure one nurse can be blamed for all this. The nmc takes ages to process anything, and from what you have said it's not going to be a priority.

It would be in the nurses best interest not to treat or be part of your treatment, but it depends if there is another nurse who is trained to do her role. It's your right to ask for a different nurse. It may delay your appointment, but is certainly your decision.

I hope the trust is going to support the nurse more then they supported you, which appears to have been a hit hit and miss. Ultimately until the initial investigation is done there wont be much to know. But they do appear to processing and evidence gathering.

I hope your appt goes well.

With the question about your race, was she trying to tick a box? I have to fill in a tick box racial monitoring form for each of my clients and there are now many options, (used to be four). So I have to tick one or the other as they don't have "Mixed black/Eastern European" but they do have "White Eastern European" and "Black British" and "Other" . I ask what people want me to be put but it is never perfect.

Maybe she was just trying to fill in a form. You could have helped her rather than report her.

Were you charged with harrassment? Why would she have mentioned, or even known that? Have you had disagreements with them before?

Why was the incorrect info on the records? Who should have told the Dr about the allergy? Did some remove this info? Why is it the nurse's fault?