A Dundee health visitor has been struck off for neglecting vulnerable children in the Douglas area of the city.
Kathleen O’Connell was found by the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) to have placed the youngsters at foreseeable risk of serious harm, and her poor practice undermined public confidence in the profession.
She admitted nine charges based on incidents involving 15 children between September 2009 and July 2010 when she was a health visitor at the Douglas Family Medical Group.
She failed to keep proper records of visits or contacts with families, failed to conduct visits and failed to pass on vital information to a colleague.
The NMC’s conduct and competence committee heard that 18 of Ms O’Connell’s cases required intensive support, many with multi-agency involvement.
When she worked from the Whitfield Health Centre a GP expressed concern about her lack of prompt response to a referral of a vulnerable child.
Ms O’Connell said she had no space in her diary, but was ordered to visit as a matter or priority.
An investigating of that episode revealed a relationship breakdown between the health visitor and the GP, and Ms O’Connell was transferred to Douglas to work three days a week at her request.
She then complained she could not manage her caseload over her reduced hours, but other health visitors were able to cope. Her caseload was reviewed and a number of concerns came to light, which resulted in the charges which she admitted.
She was called to a meeting about her poor performance and could give no explanation for her omissions. She then went off sick for about a year.
NHS Tayside launched disciplinary proceedings, which she did not attend, and she was given a first and final written warning. She retired on August 1 2011.
Due to health reasons she tried to transfer her case to the NMC’s health committee, but her application was refused.
The conduct and competence committee chaired by Eileen Skinner returned a verdict of misconduct which was serious.
The children involved were among the most vulnerable in society, including some referred to the Children’s Reporter and some on the Child Protection Register.
The NMC found that her conduct fell well below expected standards, and that while she had previously been of good character she showed a lack of insight into her failings and sought to blame others for them.
She was removed from the register and received a concurrent suspension to cover the possibility of an appeal.