Nurse fitness-to-practise hearings to be public

Fitness-to-practise hearings into complaints about nurses will be heard in public for the first time later this month, three years after the legislation providing for this change was passed.

This will also be the first fitness-to-practise committee of the Nursing and Midwifery Board (NMBI) with a lay majority; up to now, the committee has been dominated by nurses.

The case involved has already been through the courts, but the board would not identify the nurse who is the subject of the first public hearing. A spokeswoman said hearings would commence in public in the autumn and details would be published shortly.

Up to now, hearings have been heard in private, with the outcome published at a later date after confirmation by the High Court. The Medical Council has been holding public hearings into allegations against doctors since 2009.

The change to public hearings by a lay-dominated committee is in accordance with the Nurses and Midwives Act 2011. The relevant provisions of this Act were not commenced until October 2012.

Complaints received

All complaints received about nurses and midwives after October 2012 are being dealt with under the new Act.

Under the old legislation, complaints could only be considered on two grounds: alleged professional misconduct or alleged unfitness to practice due to physical or mental disability.

But the new legislation has nine grounds of complaint, including professional misconduct, poor professional performance, non-compliance with a code of professional conduct, or an irregularity in relation to a controlled drug.

The first case does not relate to the death of Savita Halappanavar in University Hospital Galway two years ago.

A number of reports critical of the care provided by staff to Ms Halappanavar have been forwarded to the NMBI and the council.

The NMBI spokeswoman said the board was not in a position to confirm whether any inquiry is being held into any nurse or midwife in relation to the care of Ms Halappanavar.

The Irish Times understands the preliminary proceedings committee of the NMBI is considering issues involving a number of nurses/midwives who treated Ms Halappanavar.