Anna Chestnutt secures No Case to Answer in long-running NMC case

Anna Chestnutt was instructed by the Royal College of Nursing to represent PL, a qualified nurse since 1985, in a Fitness to Practice hearing before the NMC. She successfully argued there was no case to answer for her client following fourteen weeks of evidence presented by the NMC.

The case related to the standard of care provided at HMP Liverpool during the 2011-2014 period. It was alleged that the nurse managers, including PL, had failed to take action and/or adequately escalate following reported concerns identified by the Prison and Probation Service Ombudsman (‘PPO’), Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Prisons (‘HMIP’) and the Care Quality Commission (‘CQC’).

There was significant broader context, which Anna presented through careful cross examination NMC’s witnesses. The panel was persuaded that PL took significant action following reported concerns, but the broader context meant it was difficult to achieve progress. Given the extent to which PL was working to remediate concerns, the panel was persuaded that there was no case to answer on the facts. The panel, therefore, did not move to consider misconduct, impairment or sanctions.

Having successfully applied to exclude the evidence of one charge, as the underlying evidence was anonymous hearsay, Anna successfully argued there was no case to answer on the twenty remaining charges. PL, therefore, continues to practice as a nurse without restriction.

This case builds on Anna’s successful track record in the field of healthcare regulatory law. To instruct Anna, please contact a member of the clerking team.