Expert intervention to help a devoted carer at a time of need

An allegation of putting the health of an elderly patient at risk is perhaps one of the most disturbing any dedicated nurse can face, and for Karen it was devastating.

The NHS worker was accused of failing to follow procedure and in doing so administering the wrong medication to a vulnerable female patient.

Karen, after 17 years of unblemished service on the wards, was left heartbroken by the allegation.

Although she insisted the allegation was not true, she was suspended from work.

What made matters worse was that Karen believed the doctor who made the allegation her was motivated by revenge and acting maliciously.

She had previously given evidence against the same doctor when  a younger female colleague decided to raise a grievance against him for bullying.

The doctor was later cleared of the allegation. Karen believed her working relationship with him was never the same afterwards, and that was despite workplace mediation taking place after the grievance investigation.

Being suspended from work and subject of a disciplinary investigation, was incredibly difficult for Karen.

She felt embarrassed, a failure, shame and fear her career and reputation were in tatters. Karen was advised by her brother to contact our Employee Support Centre.

Karen first spoke to our representative after she was invited to a disciplinary hearing, and provided with a disciplinary pack containing the evidence against her and relevant hospital policies.

Our representative reviewed the evidence and discussed the case with Karen. After doing so he felt the allegation was unfair.

Karen was, understandably, relieved and delighted that someone else was finally able to see that she had done nothing wrong.

The incident that led to the allegation, involved a diabetic female patient who had complained of feeling unwell. In doing so, she described the symptoms of a ‘hypo’  - an abnormally low level of glucose in your blood – which can be dangerous for a diabetic.

Karen administered medication in line with hospital protocol and asked for a doctor to assess the patient.

When the doctor checked the patient, he claimed she had been given the wrong medication and it was one she was allergic to. He later claimed that Karen failed to follow the medication administration policy.

The disciplinary hearing took place before a panel of senior hospital managers.

A number of witnesses attended the hearing and gave evidence, including the doctor who made the allegation.

Answers to questions put to witnesses by our representative on behalf of Karen, and in particular from the doctor, were later used in the hearing in support of Karen’s case.

The doctor’s history  and working relationship with Karen and the grievance from her colleague were mentioned. But it was not the main focus, as it was not possible to prove with any certainty he acted maliciously and motivated by revenge.

The panel was told there was no evidence in the patient’s medical records, that were checked by Karen, or provided in the evidence pack for the hearing, to suggest the patient was allergic to the medication administered.

The hearing was told Karen followed all required protocol, the medication was correct and appropriate and the patient was not harmed.

Before the panel adjourned the hearing to consider its outcome, our representative  was invited to present a closing summary on Karen’s behalf.

In doing so he reiterated the main points of the case, answers from the doctor and witnesses considered to help to prove Karen’s innocence, her long service and exemplary disciplinary record and how and why in conducting a fair disciplinary process a reasonable employer would clear her of the allegation.

The hearing was adjourned and later reconvened to inform Karen of the outcome. Surprisingly the panel did not hang around in delivering its outcome.

It acknowledged Karen’s commitment to her role and patients, as detailed by our representative as part of his presentation, and how difficult the situation was for her.

There was a great sense of relief and joy when Karen was told the allegation had been dismissed.