A NURSE who failed to act promptly when faced with a dead patient at a Burnley care home has been ordered to undergo extra training by a watchdog.

Richard Lim was the nurse in charge of the dementia unit at the BUPA-run Dove Court when a healthcare assistant informed him that an elderly woman had been founded lifeless on a crash mat, with a suspected heart attack, the Nursing and Midwifery Council heard.

But Mr Lim, who was informed of the situation between 6.30am and 7am, did not attempt resuscitation and only called the 111 non-emergency number at 7.14am to ask for assistance. An investigation was launched by the home’s bosses and the nurse resigned before disciplinary proceedings were undertaken.

Mr Lim told the NMC panel that when he found the elderly woman she was ‘cold and clammy’ and he didn’t know whether to put her back into bed or not, as it appeared to be a sudden death.

He said that he went to another unit to collect an onsite cover book before returning to the dementia unit to call 111.

The committee heard that he had not called 999 as he believed the patient was dead - but a colleague said it was the home’s policy to place an emergency call immediately in the event of a sudden death.

Mr Lim said he had checked her breathing by placing his ear next to the woman’s mouth and looking at her pupils. The panel, which noted he did not check her pulse, considered that a nurse-in-charge should have checked the patient’s pupils with a torch and made other basic checks.

Three charges relating to Mr Lim not calling 999, performing CPR or making basic observations were found proved and his fitness to practise was found to be impaired.

Mr Lim told the hearing that he had been facing difficult personal circumstances at the time and had recently completed an online basic life support training course.

He did undertake another nursing role after leaving Dove Court but felt unable to continue and had worked as a care assistant since March, with no further incidents recorded.

Panel chairman John Weeden said conditions would be imposed on Mr Lim’s professional record for 18 months, requiring him to formulate a personal development plan, covering his ability to react in emergency situations, including a basic life support course.