Nurse struck off after giving patient ten times more morphine than prescribed

A nurse has been struck off the medical register after administering ten times more morphine than prescribed which resulted in the death of a patient.

According to reports, Lincolnshire nurse, Nicola Sharp had been working at Howson Care Centre near Gainsborough in 2019 when she incorrectly administered 2.5ml of morphine to Patient A instead of the prescribed 2.5mg.

At the time, concerns were raised by an on-call doctor who examined the patient after death, who then called the police. Ms. Sharp was arrested and remained in custody for two days before the police decided there was no realistic chance of conviction.

However, when the inquest into the death took place in April 2021, the medical cause of death was found to be the “effects of morphine” and the conclusion of the coroner was “misadventure.” However, Ms. Sharp continued to work as a nurse.

In August 2020 Ms. Sharp started work at another care home but left in March 2023 after another medication administration error where she gave a patient 19 units of insulin instead of the four units prescribed.

Last month, a Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) hearing took place to determine whether Ms. Sharp was fit to continue working as a nurse in light of the errors.

During the hearing, it was found that Ms. Sharp had also failed to make a record of the administration of morphine in Patient A’s care notes and failed to record her reason for administrating morphine in Patient A’s care notes.

The panel determined the actions of Ms. Sharp breached the code for professional standards of practice and behaviour. The panel concluded the charges amounted to misconduct and decided Ms. Sharp’s fitness to practice was impaired as a result of her conduct. It said:

“The panel determined that Patient A was caused direct unwarranted harm and Patient B was put at an unwarranted risk of harm as a result of Ms. Sharp’s misconduct.

“Ms. Sharp’s misconduct had breached the fundamental tenets of the nursing profession and therefore brought its reputation into disrepute.

“The panel is of the view that Ms. Sharp has not demonstrated any insight or remorse in relation to her actions, nor has Ms. Sharp evidenced any measures she has taken to strengthen her practise.”

The panel said it had no choice but to strike Ms. Sharp off the NMC register, saying:

“Ms. Sharp’s actions were a significant departure from the standards expected of a registered nurse and are fundamentally incompatible with her remaining on the register.

“The panel determined that a member of the public will have a serious concern about Ms. Sharp continuing as a registered nurse due to the concerns raised against her and the lack of insight into her failings.”

An interim suspension order has been put in place to give Ms. Sharp the chance to appeal. If she does not appeal within 28 days of receiving the panel’s decision in writing then the suspension order will be replaced by a striking-off order.

Relevant reading

Negligent surgical operations and medical care – Oakwood Solicitors

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