Vic nurse struck off after hospital failings

Christopher Dawson failed to document one patient’s asthma attack, didn’t give drugs to another, and failed to sign a chart to say a third had been given their medicine, a Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) tribunal heard.

He also, when not permitted to do so, acted as the second checker and counter signatory during a medication round, the panel was told.

After finding the charges proved, the tribunal ‘concluded that a striking-off order is necessary in order to protect the public, to uphold proper professional standards and to maintain confidence in the nursing profession and the NMC.’

The striking-off order will take effect at the expiry of a 12-month suspension order on March 24, but in an email to the panel, Dawson said he had no plans of ‘ever working for the NHS again’.

He wrote: “I am 60 years old now. I took early retirement from the NHS. I have an NHS pension. Whether the panel decides whether my fitness to practice is impaired makes absolutely no sense at all as I do not even wish to practice, EVER.

“I will not be replying to any bundles of paperwork that is sent to me so I leave you with the decision to either end it or strike me off.”

The NMC’s hearing, held on London on Monday, ruled that, while working on hospital ward eight, he:

* Didn’t document a patient’s asthma attack and/or deterioration in their notes, failed to adequately complete a handover, and failed to ensure a drip was checked and/or countersigned by a second qualified nurse.

* Failed to administer a 6am dose of Vancomycin, an antibiotic used to treat a number of bacterial infections to a second patient.

* Didn’t sign a third patient’s drug chart to indicate Ondansetron, used to prevent nausea and vomiting, was given.

* Acted, when not allowed to, as the second checker and/or counter signatory during a 7pm medication round for the administration of morphine, methadone, and Nabilone, a man-made form of cannabis.