Record number of nurses struck off

More complaints are being made about nurses' professional conduct

The number of nurses struck off their professional register has reached record levels, this year's figures show.

Data from the United Kingdom Central Council for Nursing, Midwifery and Health Visiting show 104 were removed in 2000 - 2001, compared to 96 the previous year.

The UKCC is the regulatory body for the nursing professions.

The number of complaints about the professional conduct of staff received by the UKCC also soared to record levels, with 1,240 complaints this year, compared to 1,142 the previous year and 893 in 1996-1997.

This report can make a major contribution towards helping to improve standards of care for patients

Alison Norman, UKCC

Forty-one per cent of the complaints this year related to allegations of physical or verbal abuse.

Failure to keep proper records or to record incidents properly was the second largest category.

Men make up just under 10% of the register, but regularly account for over 50% of respondents in UKCC professional conduct cases.

In 2000 - 2001, 61 of the 104 practitioners removed from the register were male.

Half this year's complaints came from employers, a quarter from the police following a conviction, and a quarter from the public.

Increases

The number of cases heard by the council's committees and the numbers applying to be restored to the register also rose.

The committee considering cases of alleged misconduct heard 135 cases in 2000 to 2001, compared to 97 five years ago.

Fewer people are being restored to the register. In 1994-1995, 11 out of 14 who applied were restored. In 2000-2001, just three out of 11 were accepted back onto the register.

The number of cases referred to the UKCC where it is alleged a nurse, midwife or health visitor is unfit to practise because of health grounds have also risen.

This year, 164 cases were referred compared to 77 six years ago.

The number concerning alcohol dependence doubled from 27 to 58 over that period, and the numbers involving drug dependence rose from 22 to 26.

Cases relating to unfitness to practise on the grounds of mental illness rose from 56 to 75 over the last 12 months.

Alison Norman, UKCC president said: "Professional conduct is at the heart of the UKCC's public protection responsibilities.

"By providing more information and encouraging practitioners to learn from the cases which are considered by the Council, this report can make a major contribution towards helping to improve standards of care for patients.

"The UKCC has worked extremely hard in recent years to ensure that cases are considered as swiftly, efficiently and robustly as possible, whilst continuing to be fair to practitioners."