Oswestry nurse sacked for changing patient's medical notes
A Shropshire nurse suspended from Oswestry Orthopaedic Hospital for changing medical notes has been dismissed, it was revealed today.
Sheena Hughes was dismissed from the Robert Jones and Agnes Hunt Hospital in January.
Ms Hughes attended the hearing in London over her actions surrounding the death of Charlie Davies, who suffered from Duchenne muscular dystrophy and who fell while getting undressed in his bedroom.
The 15-year-old suffered a fractured femur which, in turn, led to him developing a condition that ultimately led to his death.
Though suspended for six months by the council, Ms Hughes has also been dismissed from her post.
Bev Tabernacle, Director of Nursing at RJAH, said: "Sheena was dismissed from RJAH in January 2016, following the conclusion of our internal investigation."
Ms Tabernacle said that the hospital had undertaken its own investigation before referring it to the Nursing and Midwifery Council and described Ms Hughes' actions as "a serious error of judgement" which went below the standards that the hospital expects for its patients.
An inquest, at Shirehall, Shrewsbury, heard that Charlie, of Balmer Crescent, Welshampton, fell on April 29 2015. He was taken to the Royal Shrewsbury Hospital and later to the Robert Jones and Agnes Hunt Orthopaedic Hospital in Gobowen.
While in hospital, Charlie's pulse, heart rate and oxygen saturation levels were monitored. These were taken by a student nurse. But despite Charlie's oxygen saturation level falling to a dangerously low 87 per cent no alarm was raised.
Ms Hughes told the 2015 inquest she had been aware that Charlie was on the ward but had not been made aware that his levels had initially fallen. When his condition deteriorated further that he was transferred to the Royal Stoke Hospital where he died the following day.
Four days later Sister Hughes changed the notes to read his oxygen level was recorded at 97 per cent rather than 87 per cent. She said she did this because she panicked and was under a great deal of stress.
Shropshire and Telford & Wrekin Coroner, John Ellery recorded a conclusion of accidental death but described the note changing as a "serious matter".
Shortcomings surrounding Charlie's death have led to new procedures being implemented at the Orthopaedic Hospital.
