Cwmbran nurse could be struck off (From South Wales Argus)

Cwmbran nurse could be struck off

11:20am Thursday 21st January 2010

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A CWMBRAN nurse could be struck off if a Nursing and Midwifery Council committee finds she is no longer fit to practise.

Deborah Higley, 44, who is a registered mental health nurse, appeared before the Council’s conduct and competence committee in Cardiff yesterday, accused of charges dating back to 2007 when she was manager of the Sandringham Villa nursing home in Somerset.

Mrs Higley admitted three of the charges but denied the remaining 18.

For example, she denied using the funds of the company which owned the home, Knightwood Care Ltd, to buy groceries for residents which did not keep within the agreed budget of £7 per resident per day.

Jason Dunford, who was then a health care assistant at the home, told the committee on Tuesday that staff were sometimes asked to go out and buy food the home needed but were not told of any budget caps on food.

Mrs Higley admitted giving the company’s credit card and pin number to two members of staff to use in nine transactions, when they were not authorised to use it.

Mr Dunford remembered going with another member of staff to get an extra ingredient for a resident’s meal.

He said his colleague had been given the credit card and pin number to withdraw money on the instructions of Mrs Higley.

Mr Dunford went on to describe Mrs Higley as very professional and understanding and supportive to staff.

Mrs Higley also denied encouraging a resident to not tell the Department of Work and Pensions that he was in a nursing home and to use a walking stick to receive higher payments.

The home’s deputy manager at the time, Susanna Newbury, said she worked with the resident for several months afterwards, where he would some days walk for miles without the walking stick.

Mrs Higley is also accused of forging a staff member’s signature on a confidentiality agreement, which she denied.

The hearing was adjourned yesterday for this document to be forensically examined.

It is expected to open again on May 11.

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