A Dundee nurse has been suspended for six months after admitting misconduct.
Lesley Fernie was working at Ninewells Hospital in 2011 when she failed to properly monitor a patient’s respiratory rates, a disciplinary hearing of the Nursing and Midwifery Council heard.
She also failed to record patient data and incorrectly filled out paperwork, dishonestly creating a false record of care.
Mrs Fernie also failed to give a patient a prescribed intravenous dose of saline and incorrectly prepared medication and did so without adequate supervision.
She further failed to record two patients’ consent to termination of pregnancy and did not check their identities prior to sending them to theatre and also failed to give an adequate or accurate handover of patients in her care.
The findings by the NMC said: “This case involves a number of charges that are wide-spread in nature and relate to basic elements of a nurse’s role.
“Mrs Fernie had practised as a nurse for many years prior and when questioned, said that she knew the correct procedures yet had failed to follow them.
“No explanation was provided as to why she had failed to do so. Her actions and omissions could have caused serious harm to vulnerable patients on the gynaecology ward.”
The disciplinary panel said the public interest was at the fore in deciding on her punishment.
“The appropriate sanction in this case is a suspension order for a period of six months.
“The seriousness of the case requires temporary removal from the register and will sufficiently protect patients and the public interest.”
The panel said they had taken into account the fact the misconduct was the first time that Mrs Fernie’s fitness to practice has been called into question in a long and unblemished career.