UK Ebola nurse under investigation after claims of misconduct
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Version 0 of 1. A British nurse who was diagnosed with the Ebola virus after returning from Sierra Leone is being investigated over claims of misconduct, the body that oversees nursing within the UK has confirmed. The Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) said that it had received information from Public Health England about the conduct of Pauline Cafferkey that it would look into, along with two other nurses. Cafferkey was diagnosed with the virus in December after returning from west Africa, where she had been volunteering as a health worker. She was treated at the Unit for Infectious Diseases on the Gartnavel hospital campus, Glasgow, before being transferred to specialist facilities at the Royal Free hospital in London. The claims reportedly centre on concerns that Cafferkey was known to be feeling unwell when she returned to Britain, but that her symptoms were obscured. The NMC refused to confirm those reports. While the harshest sanction Cafferkey would theoretically face is being struck off, it is understood that the NMC’s concern is not primarily punitive. Rather, the body is thought initially to be seeking to identify any risks to the public. Cafferkey has not been suspended but faces a hearing in which interim restrictions could be put on her ability to practise, should this be judged as necessary to protect the public. A decision will also be taken on whether the case needs to go to a public hearing on her fitness to practise, at which a range of potential sanctions would be available – including, in the most extreme case, striking her off. An NMC spokesman said: “Following information we received from Public Health England, we can confirm that we are investigating allegations about the conduct of three nurses. It would not be appropriate to comment further at this time.” According to the Daily Mail, a spokesman for Cafferkey has pointed out her willingness to cooperate with investigators – and to continue doing so. The spokesman added that investigations were “ongoing and it would, therefore, be inappropriate for her to make any public comment at the present time”. Public Health England did not respond to the Guardian’s request for comment. |