Am off to court in a few weeks...........!!

[theincredibequeenofwands]

Am a witness.

Case is with the Nursing and Midwifery Council.

I witnessed a nurse attack an elderly (bed bound) resident in a nursing home where I worked (have left since). She was sacked from the home for that, for sleeping on her shifts (we worked nights) and for leaving the building a few times during the night so there was no medically trained person in the building (against the law/regulations).

The elderly lady has since passed away so I'm the only witness.

They've sent me a book about what to expect, but it doesn't tell me what to expect.......

I've been told that the jury people get really nasty with witnesses and fire awkward questions at them.

Am nervous! :(

If anyone has been a witness in court I would appreciate any advice or experience.

Thanks.

Ok. I assume you have given them a statement? If so, you will either be asked to read the statement out to the Committee as your "evidence in chief", or the lawyer for the Nursing and Midwifery Council will ask you questions to take you through what's in your statement.

It wiill then be the nurse's turn to ask you questions. I don't think you can get legal aid for nursing cases (unlike in the criminal courts) so the nurse may or may not have a lawyer representing them (or may not even show up at all!)

The questions you are asked will depend on what the nurse's defence is. Basically the nurse/her lawyer will need to put her case to you. You might be challenged on your version of events, but remember you are not on trial, so just answer the questions as calmly and as factually as you can. It's fine to say you can't remember, or you aren't sure of something. Of course, if you are sure, you should stick to your guns.

The questions shouldn't be aggressive and if they are, someone will step in (either the Nursing and Midwifery Council's lawyer or the lawyer who sits with the Committee deciding the case).

Hope that helps!