‘Sick’ nurse did shifts elsewhere
An Ayrshire nurse has been reprimanded by the industry watchdog after doing shifts at a care home while claiming sick pay from another employer.
Staff nurse Fiona Collins, who was employed at the Ayrshire Hospice, pocketed nearly £500 of sick pay during her‘moonlight’shifts at Springhill Care Home, Kilmarnock.
She worked shifts on 14 separate occasions, all the while receiving occupational, or statutory sick pay.
A virtual hearing into Mrs Collins’behaviour, which dates back to 2018, was conducted this month by the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC).
In their report the NMC stated:“From 15 January 2018 to 26 November 2018, Mrs Collins was employed as a Staff Nurse at Ayrshire Hospice.
“As part of her employment, Mrs Collins was entitled to occupational sick pay (contractual sick pay which is paid over and above the rate of statutory sick pay).
“Mrs Collins was signed off sick on 13 September 2018. Mrs Collins was in receipt of occupational sick pay and, later, statutory sick pay.”
On November 25 2018 her employer was notified that she had been undertaking shifts as a Staff Nurse at Springhill Care Home, whilst on leave and in receipt of sick pay.
Collins resigned the following day.
The NMC’s Fitness to Practise Committee deemed Collin’s behaviour fell“significantly short”of the standards expected of a registered nurse, although they accepted she was experiencing a number of“personal stressors” at the time.
However, the panel did not consider that this personal mitigation“excused her behaviour”or “lessened its seriousness.”
They also stated that Mrs Collins took “tangible steps”to remediate her misconduct, had offered to repay the sick pay she received and testimonials from Mrs Collins’current and former colleagues spoke highly of her“skills,” “attitude”and“character”as a nurse.
In their conclusion the NMC said:“The panel decided to make a 12-month caution order.
“The effect of this order is that Mrs Collins’ entry on the NMC register will show that she is subject to a caution order and anyone who enquires about her registration will be informed of this order.”