Plymouth nurse can keep his job despite series of work errors

A NURSE who left patient documents in a supermarket and failed to give medication to an epileptic patient has been allowed to keep his job.

James Jewell made a string of drug administration and record-keeping errors while working for Plymouth NHS Teaching Primary Care Trust in 2009, the Nursing and Midwifery Council ruled.

The conduct and competence committee imposed a three-year conditions of practise order.

Panel chair Najrul Khasru said: "Your instances of poor clinical judgement were repeated and occurred over a protracted period of time.

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"You display an element of attitudinal problem. The panel concluded that this was not harmful or deep seated in nature. The panel also determined that you have shown insight into your misconduct."

The hearing was told that while within the Seventrees District Nursing Team on February 13, 2009, Jewell failed to make a note that a patient's urine was green and also failed to test the urine.

"It is with deep regret I look back on 2009 and reflect on my behaviour," said Mr Jewell.

"My lack of judgement is not excusable but I would like to expand on the circumstances."

He said in the case of the nephrostomy bag filled with urine described by another nurse as "emerald green", that the patient showed no signs of a urinary tract infection.

"I should have arranged for a urine test as soon as possible," he said.

"I'm aware my failure to do this was a breach of the nurses' code."

On the same day he also left his work diary, a patient referral form and blood request forms in a supermarket.

He said he had left them in the shop after losing his car keys and having to abandon his car. "I have no excuse other than this being a dreadful and regretful mistake."

In June that year Jewell had been working on the Skylark Ward at Mount Gould Hospital when he failed to administer medication to a patient suffering from epilepsy. He told the hearing this happened because he could not find a senior nurse to help him. That evening was the first time he had led a ward.

The panel was told Jewell wants to be a nurse, but he said he would not be returning to community or hospital nursing.

Instead the hearing heard how since 2009 he had worked as an off-shore nurse on dive vessels and oil rigs. He had also worked with a team working in Afghanistan and as a police custody nurse.

Jewell admitted failing to record patient information, failing to administer medicine and failing to inform a colleague of the incidents.

The conditions imposed on him state he must notify the NMC of any nursing appointment he takes up, and of any criminal or professional proceedings being brought against him. He must be directly supervised any time that he is employed at a hospital or similar nursing facility. When working as a nurse in other settings, he must be indirectly supervised.