Sacked nurse free to carry on working

Nov 14 2007 by Matthew Mckenzie, The Journal

A NURSE who did not know what an aspirin was for, has been told she can carry on in the profession.

Nobantu Dlayiya was sacked after complaints she never spoke to patients, grunted one word replies to questions and did not know what the drug aspirin was for.

Bosses looked on aghast as the 61-year-old struggled to make sense of the medication rounds at the Pinetree Lodge care home in Dryden Road, Gateshead.

South African-born Dlayiya rarely spoke to residents when feeding and dressing them, grunted one word replies when asked questions and told her boss: ‘I only listen when I’m interested.’

Earlier the nurse admitted ‘drag lifting’ patients which was described as an ‘inappropriate method’.

Nursing and Midwifery Council panel chairwoman Val Morrison said although Mrs Dlayiya was guilty of misconduct she should be allowed to continue working in the profession.

Mrs Morrison said: ‘The misconduct we have found raised serious concerns in three areas which were communication, drug administration and moving and handling.

“The incidents, while serious in themselves, took place over a relatively short period, soon after the respondent had arrived from South Africa.”

Handing her a caution, Mrs Morrison warned Mrs Dlayiya that all future employers would be told about the misconduct ruling.

Jocelyn Thompson, the home’s deputy manager, acted as Mrs Dlayiya’s mentor for the seven weeks she worked there between February 16 and April 7, 2004.

Mrs Thompson said the staff had tried to make the foreign nurse feel at home but got nothing in response.

She said Mrs Dlayiya didn’t seem interested in getting to know the other staff and wouldn’t speak to residents.

Mrs Thompson also told the panel Mrs Dlayiya did not ‘recognise’ any medications on the home’s drugs trolley.

“The most common medicine administered in an elderly care home is aspirin and she did not know what aspirin was used for.”

Mrs Thompson said on one occasion she saw Mrs Dlayiya pour out three times the amount of drugs for one resident.

But Mrs Morrison added: “Mrs Dlayiya has been working as registered nurse in a nursing home with patients whose needs are similar to those of the patients at Pinetree Lodge. We have heard there has been a tangible improvement, in addition we have received testimonials from colleagues who have worked closely with her and speak highly of her caring skills.”

Mrs Dlayiya, of Weymouth, Dorset, who denied charges of professional misconduct, is now free to continue in the profession.