Nurse struck off after giving drugs intravenously to wrong patient and stealing from colleague

Stephen Fernie was a nurse at North Tees Hospital in Stockton during the time of the incidents in 2011

A nurse at a Teesside hospital has been struck off after giving drugs intravenously to the wrong patient and stealing £10 from a colleague.

Stephen Fernie, who worked at North Tees Hospital in Stockton, also recorded a temperature of a patient on an observation chart without actually taking the temperature, a conduct and competence hearing found.

Mr Fernie was also accused of inaccurately recording a patient’s oxygen saturation levels, and altering those levels on an observation chart - but these allegations were not proven.

A Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) meeting in London earlier this month heard the case against Mr Fernie in his absence, and found his fitness to practice to be impaired.

In a report, the NMC panel said: “The panel bore in mind that Mr Fernie is an experienced nurse. There is evidence of only limited insight and no evidence of any genuine remorse or apology.

“The panel heard evidence that Mr Fernie’s clinical errors had the potential to cause significant harm to patients.

“There were also two separate instances of dishonesty, one of which involved theft from a colleague. The panel heard evidence that Mr Fernie demonstrated a poor attitude during the investigation process and appeared to lack an understanding of the seriousness of his actions. The panel has received no references or testimonials.

“The panel took into account that the purpose of a sanction is not to be punitive, although it may have that effect; rather, the purpose of a sanction is to protect patients and the wider public interest. The wider public interest includes maintaining public confidence in the profession and the NMC as a regulator, and declaring and upholding proper standards of conduct and behaviour.“

It was alleged that the incidents took place on August 13, 2011.

After considering whether it was appropriate to take no action, or place a caution order in Mr Fernie, the panel said: “The only sufficient, proportionate and appropriate sanction in this case is that of a striking off order.”

An immediate interim order was made which will stop Mr Fernie being able to practice during his 28 day appeal period.

Bereaved Teesside families to face shorter waits for inquests as backlog reduced

Backlog of hearings falls to 130 with families of new deaths now facing an average wait of 14 weeks

Bereaved families should not have to wait more than 14 weeks for an inquest, according to Teesside Coroner’s Service.

A report to Middlesbrough’s deputy mayor, Councillor Dave Budd, says the backlog of inquests, which had increased to 404, has now been reduced to 130 by solicitor Clare Bailey who was appointed acting Teesside coroner, following the retirement of Michael Sheffield earlier this year.

The Lord Chancellor and Secretary of State for Justice Chris Grayling indicated that Middlesbrough should liaise with its neighbouring authorities, partners and Cleveland Police and draw up a business case regarding the option of merging the two coroner’s areas of Teesside and Hartlepool.

Hartlepool Senior Coroner Malcolm Donnelly is currently undertaking the assistant coroner role.

Last month, the Teesside Coroner’s Service implemented a new model to modernise the service in line with the Coroner’s and Criminal Justice Act 2009 and says the performance has “significantly improved” with new cases being dealt with on average, in 14 weeks.

Mr Donnelly, the senior coroner for Hartlepool and deputy coroner for Teesside, has focused on reducing the backlog of enhanced cases and all these cases have now been reviewed and most are now listed for inquest.

Andy McDonald, MP for Middlesbrough, said: “No doubt many bereaved families will be very much appreciative of the efforts of the Hartlepool senior coroner Malcolm Donnelly and the acting Teesside coroner Clare Bailey in achieving such a dramatic turnaround.

“Given this significant progress we will need to examine the proposal for a merger of the Teesside and Hartlepool Coroner’s Services. The efficiencies achieved in such a short space of time are to be very much welcomed and means that the proposed merger is clearly an idea that warrants proper consideration.”