Nurse not to work as sole practitioner in aged care.

The Health Practitioners Disciplinary Tribunal has found registered nurse (RN) Geoffrey Lionel Henry guilty of professional misconduct. In its December 2005 decision, the Tribunal found that Henry had:

* failed to ensure an adequate nursing care plan was in place and/or documented and/or reviewed;

* failed to ensure adequate measures were taken to prevent pressure sores from occurring;

* failed to ensure adequate steps were taken to treat and/or manage his patient's pressure sores and/or ischaemic ulcers; and

* failed to ensure adequate and/or appropriate staffing levels to ensure his patient received appropriate nursing care.

When its findings in relation to each particular were viewed separately, the Tribunal believed Henry's acts and omissions, while constituting negligence, did not, by themselves, justify a disciplinary sanction. However, when viewed cumulatively, they readily justified a finding of professional misconduct and justified a disciplinary sanction. Henry's overall management and care of the patient was well below the standards expected of a nurse in his circumstances. The Tribunal determined that there should be conditions imposed on Henry's practice should he wish to practise as a nurse in the future. It considered that if he wished to return to practice as a nurse, he should not do so as a sole practitioner in the aged-care sector. It considered he had been isolated and unsupported. The Tribunal determined that Henry should undergo a competency assessment and satisfy the Nursing Council that he is safe and competent to practise nursing in any areas in which he proposes to practise. These orders will remain in force for three years from the date Henry returns to practise as a nurse, if he should ever do so. The Tribunal made no orders for costs, but determined that a summary of its decision should be published in Kai Tiaki Nursing New Zealand and the Nursing Council's newsletter.

GEOFFREY LIONEL HENRY, RN