This story was first published in digitalhealth.net
Cafferkey cleared of misconduct charges
Ebola surviver and nurse Pauline Cafferkey has been cleared of misconduct charges by the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC). Ebola surviver and nurse Pauline Cafferkey has been cleared of misconduct charges by the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC).
Cafferkey was under investigation for allegedly allowing a wrong temperature to be recorded during the screening process at Heathrow, on her return from working in Sierra Leonne.
The conduct panel dismissed the charges after hearing she had been impaired by illness.
Commenting on the result, Joyce Cullen, Cafferkey's lawyer, said: “Public Health England (PHE) were unprepared for the volume of people returning from countries affected by Ebola. There were also serious failures in communication amongst the PHE staff.
"It is perhaps ironic that given the criticisms made about PHE processes, it was their complaint which led to the Nursing and Midwifery Council investigation and these proceedings being initiated against Pauline. Pauline was lucky to survive and since her return from Sierra Leone has continued to suffer from ill health.
"The NMC disciplinary process has been very upsetting and stressful for Pauline. However, she's delighted that the panel has made the decision that she has no case to answer and that she's now able to continue her nursing career in Scotland, where she will carry on looking after families in Blantyre, who've been very appreciative of her skills and dedication."
Responding on the outcome, Jackie Smith, NMC chief executive and registrar, said: "As the independent panel recognised, the NMC has an overarching duty to protect the health and wellbeing of the public and need to ensure the maintenance of public confidence in the profession.
"The referral from Public Health England showed a highly unusual set of circumstances that clearly required a thorough and proper investigation. In circumstances like this, it is right for an independent panel to hear all the evidence to decide if any action is required."
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