Shropshire care home boss faces being struck off
A Shropshire care home boss who failed to get prompt treatment for a wound which left a resident's big toe gangrenous faces being struck off the nursing register.
Jeanette Michelle Roberts had been told the dementia patient had an ulcer on her foot but did not dress it or complete a treatment plan.
No action was taken until days later and it was not until another week after that that the woman went to hospital.
It was discovered that her toe had become gangrenous. She died soon afterwards of unrelated causes after a second visit to hospital.
Mrs Roberts, who ran the Gadlas Hall home, in Dudleston Heath, near Oswestry, was cautioned by police for neglect.
Now she faces the ruination of her career after a Nursing and Midwifery Council committee said she should be struck from the register.
After a hearing in London at the end of last month, the conduct and competence committee said her fitness to practise was "impaired".
Her conduct was a "breach of a number of fundamental tenets of the nursing profession", the committee said.
Mrs Roberts said the reason for her initial failure to dress the wound was that she "simply forgot".
But the committee said the resident only received subsequent care because of the intervention of others.
"Mrs Roberts entirely disregarded the care of an elderly resident, which led to her admission of the criminal offence of wilful neglect and the acceptance of a police caution," it said.
It continued: 'Given the serious nature of the police caution, the panel has concluded that confidence in the profession and its regulator, and the need to uphold and declare proper professional standards, would be undermined if Mrs Roberts were to remain on the register.
'The panel has therefore determined that a striking-off order is the only sufficient and proportionate sanction. which will protect the public and address the wider public interest.
The panel is of the view that Mrs Roberts' behaviour is fundamentally incompatible with continuing to be registered with the NMC. The panel therefore determined to impose a striking-off order.'
The committee said, despite Mrs Roberts' previous good character and unblemished 30-year career, she should be erased from the register.
Mrs Roberts' has the right to appeal her striking off and will remain suspended pending the outcome of any challenge which she might lodge.
