A NURSE who was suspended for 18 months after being accused of misconduct has now been cleared at a full hearing – after no evidence was offered against her.

Lynn Denise Richmond was accused of a ‘series of drug errors’ while working for Pendleside Hospice in May 2012, and was referred to the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) by her employers.

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The regulator imposed an interim suspension order while the claims were fully investigated, but after a full hearing last week, an NMC panel concluded: “The panel took account that the only evidence available to the NMC was anonymous hearsay evidence in the incident reports and the meetings’ notes.

“There was no evidence in the form of patient records and staff rotas to indicate that Mrs Richmond was on duty on the dates in question, was responsible for the patients concerned or that she had made the errors alleged.

"Further, in the absence of patient records, it is impossible to link the drugs mentioned with any particular patient or lack of completion of documentation.”

The initial allegations against Mrs Richmond had also included ‘poor organisation and record keeping’, as well as being absent from work for extended periods on several occasions due to her health. These were also dismissed.

Helen Mcvey, clinical services manager at the hospice in Reedley, defended the decision to refer Mrs Richmond to the NMC.

She added: “We are unable to comment on individual cases, however The hospice has a statutory duty to notify the NMC of any concerns that they have about a registered nurse’s fitness to practice in order to protect patient safety.

“Having reported our concerns and submitted relevant evidence it is then the responsibility of the NMC to decide whether or not the registered nurse should be allowed to continue to practice. The NMC have reassured us that we followed the correct procedure.”

Mrs Richmond resigned from Pendleside Hospice in December 2012.