Has anyone on this forum who has had to be investigated by their professional body post court

Convicted Driver Insurance

January

Established Member
Just wondering if anyone has any experience of having to have a professional body investigation as any help would be welcomed
After waiting 162 days for the summons, then court and big fine, then hit local free press including photo due to a previous work related press release we did with the paper, now 8 weeks later it looks like I’m facing an investigation which includes a formal panel hearing which are longer than court and they collect loads of evidence — not sure I can play another waiting game and certainly can’t face a hearing
Thank you
I
 
Can I ask what professional body you are talking about?
that will help with advising if they are examining reputation, alcohol abuse or professional standing.
 
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price1367 said:
Can I ask what professional body you are talking about?
that will help with advising if they are examining reputation, alcohol abuse or professional standing.
Click to expand...
Nursing but I don’t do clinical nor is it in my job description thank you
 
So that really covers all the elements.
You should evidence (hopefully):
the lack of publicity that was given to the incident,
No mention of your status or your employer that could harm their reputation.
That the incident was isolated, not a pattern of behaviour.
It was not in any way related to your work (to or from employment?)
If there is some evidence of past behaviour around alcohol, then what you are doing to address this to ensure that it does not impact on your work,
Produce some character references to indicate that you are not a heavy drinker (plus perhaps a letter from your Doctor as well)

You should be able to have a union representative to attend with you to see that the correct ‘fitness’ procedures are followed.
 
price1367 said:
So that really covers all the elements.
You should evidence (hopefully):
the lack of publicity that was given to the incident,
No mention of your status or your employer that could harm their reputation.
That the incident was isolated, not a pattern of behaviour.
It was not in any way related to your work (to or from employment?)
If there is some evidence of past behaviour around alcohol, then what you are doing to address this to ensure that it does not impact on your work,
Produce some character references to indicate that you are not a heavy drinker (plus perhaps a letter from your Doctor as well)

You should be able to have a union representative to attend with you to see that the correct ‘fitness’ procedures are followed.
Click to expand...
Sadly although I instructed my solicitor ( he confirmed this in writing) not to mention anything in court re job etc, it was picked up by free paper and whole transcripts what cps and solicitor said was reported plus my post and photo
Union - not in one as for this case need royal college of nursing who understand fitness to practise cases who are not recognised by my employer
Past behaviour- no past behaviour re alcohol no sickness, no work issues and references that support that
I got stopped the morning after a social event on the way to work although I had worked my hours that week it was helping work out

So basically the Nursing council will look at damage to the profession and then work will have to do something thevlevl of that I don’t know
Just wanting any advice as to how to get information for the hearing but I can’t attend friends are concerned as to the impacting my mental and physio health as court really took its toll especially as I had to wait 162 days to hear anything
Thank you
 
I have attached 2 cases heard before the Nursing Council for you to read, both relate to drink driving.
You will see that both resulted in a caution being placed on the persons file for 2 and 4 years Respectively. They both involved 2 convictions each for drink driving.
Your case, whilst only a single conviction, is made worse by the fact that you were on your way to work. Attending for extra hours does nothing to diminish this. If this does not appear in the publicity about your case you would do well to avoid any mention of it in your submission. I am not advocating lying, just that you only put forward anything that helps rather than hinders your case. You can be sure that the solicitor presenting the Fitness to Practice case WILL stress that you were on your way to work if he / she is aware of this fact.
You will also see that the nurse attended IN PERSON and the oral evidence they gave was key in getting a positive result and I would strongly suggest that you attend your hearing as well.
Being told that you are not fit to attend the hearing will not look good for you as to your current situation.


 
Added to the above, I have seen this on the NMC website, so it would appear likely that they are already aware that you were on your way to work:

“Drink-driving offences
Drink-driving offences will only call into question a nurse or midwife’s fitness to practise if:

  • the offence occurred either in the course of a nurse or midwife’s professional duties, driving to or from those duties, or during on-call or standby arrangements
  • there are aggravating circumstances connected with the offence, or
  • it is a repeat offence.
If a nurse or midwife has been convicted of a drink-driving offence, decision makers should consider whether we need to explore any underlying alcohol issues that indicate the nurse or midwife’s fitness to practise is impaired because of their health.

In such cases the nurse or midwife’s employer, general practitioner or occupational health department should be contacted for additional information. “
 
Thank you John, the issue is although on the register I don’t work in any nursing capacity. Nor have I for over 25 years They have contacted my employer to ask if I was working that day.
Hence why I expect they will take it further
I am semi retired & plan to provably finish totally next year, so a caution has no impact in fact it’s wasting money as I don’t work clinically nor would I get a job as so far removed from my clinical days
The references for court including two from work plus a senior health care professional state they have never had any concerns re me and alcohol and one had put how I stopped drinking in May

My issue of attending is I was traumatised by the whole event and this is noted in three of the references & to have to go to a hearing in London & go through it all again I can’t face
After all they can caution me if I’m there or not!
Then I have to face work who said they may have to act depending on what happens
My retirement may come earlier
Thank you for the advice
 
"After all they can caution me if I’m there or not! "
My worry for you is that without hearing in person from you they could decide to suspend you or strike you off, but if that will not impact on your current work, even that will not matter too much.
Let us know how you get on.
 
January said:
Just wondering if anyone has any experience of having to have a professional body investigation as any help would be welcomed
After waiting 162 days for the summons, then court and big fine, then hit local free press including photo due to a previous work related press release we did with the paper, now 8 weeks later it looks like I’m facing an investigation which includes a formal panel hearing which are longer than court and they collect loads of evidence — not sure I can play another waiting game and certainly can’t face a hearing
Thank you

I am a nurse and was caught DUI with no insurance few years ago. I referred myself to the NMC as did the police, and my employer. It was tough. We are supposed to know better. I went to hearings in London, suspended from work, later dismissed, suspended from the register and it took some getting back on my feet.
I am now in a much better place personally and have a much more enjoyable nursing job. Hold your hands up, face the consequences and accept you're only human. Everyone makes mistakes. We just have to learn from them. It might not feel like it at the moment, but you can get through this.
Click to expand...
January said:
Thank you John, the issue is although on the register I don’t work in any nursing capacity. Nor have I for over 25 years They have contacted my employer to ask if I was working that day.
Hence why I expect they will take it further
I am semi retired & plan to provably finish totally next year, so a caution has no impact in fact it’s wasting money as I don’t work clinically nor would I get a job as so far removed from my clinical days
The references for court including two from work plus a senior health care professional state they have never had any concerns re me and alcohol and one had put how I stopped drinking in May

My issue of attending is I was traumatised by the whole event and this is noted in three of the references & to have to go to a hearing in London & go through it all again I can’t face
After all they can caution me if I’m there or not!
Then I have to face work who said they may have to act depending on what happens
My retirement may come earlier
Thank you for the advice
Click to expand...
 
I am a nurse and was caught DUI with no insurance few years ago. I referred myself to the NMC as did the police, and my employer. It was tough. We are supposed to know better. I went to hearings in London, suspended from work, later dismissed, suspended from the register and it took some getting back on my feet.
I am now in a much better place personally and have a much more enjoyable nursing job. Hold your hands up, face the consequences and accept you're only human. Everyone makes mistakes. We just have to learn from them. It might not feel like it at the moment, but you can get through this
 
Thank you I’m not clinical - education for last 25 years & nothing to do with nursing now. Don’t need registration for job did up to about 8 years ago when contracts were changed also semi retired. I referred myself post court as I had 162 days to wait for blood result to get summons. Police didn’t inform anyone in fact they didn’t ask me my job. Employer knew from day one and no action from them, and it was last May but didn’t get to court until November
I’m exploring coming off the register under the voluntary scheme but they still do the investigation which is a total waste of money
I’m semi retired and can easily fully retire
I don’t think I could face a hearing, I have already had massive publicity in local paper including photo and full cps transcript and my solicitor transcript
How long did it take to get to the hearing ? What sentence did you get in court and did the lack of insurance impact on the NMC as well as dui ?
I’m due to revalidation in July so seeking advice over what to do if I’m coming off
It’s not the end of my 36 years of work I expected so ashamed of myself
 
price1367 said:
"After all they can caution me if I’m there or not! "
My worry for you is that without hearing in person from you they could decide to suspend you or strike you off, but if that will not impact on your current work, even that will not matter too much.
Let us know how you get on.
Click to expand...

Met with the dean, he has been contacted by NMC and asked if I was working that day which I was. He also was asked at concerns re character or alcohol issues which he said no. He expects it to go to a hearing. If I get struck off I’m sacked if I get a caution I’m for a disciplinary.
Going to try to get advice re chances of being struck off due to my post and publicity that there was after my case -
There are some law firms who specialise in NMC cases who offer a free consultation but I don’t know how good they are? Any suggestions or recommendations. Feel work who were supporting me have now left me out to dry
 
Hi, I've been on the receiving end of the NMC who were actually very supportive. Would be happy to PM you if you like? Would also be interested in what happened with your blood results
 
Barp said:
Hi, I've been on the receiving end of the NMC who were actually very supportive. Would be happy to PM you if you like? Would also be interested in what happened with your blood results
Click to expand...
Please do message me as I getting desperate thank you
 
inanupsidedownhouse said:
I am a nurse and was caught DUI with no insurance few years ago. I referred myself to the NMC as did the police, and my employer. It was tough. We are supposed to know better. I went to hearings in London, suspended from work, later dismissed, suspended from the register and it took some getting back on my feet.
I am now in a much better place personally and have a much more enjoyable nursing job. Hold your hands up, face the consequences and accept you're only human. Everyone makes mistakes. We just have to learn from them. It might not feel like it at the moment, but you can get through this
Click to expand...
This post has kinda helped me in a comforting way. However I am currently applying for jobs as an HCA. It took me a long time to really get over my conviction I was handed a DR10. Depression anxiety u name it. 40yrs old yes i was in the wrong and honestly wonder if I will be employable after declaring a convictions such as that of drink driving. But as you say we allake mistakes. Thank you for this post.
 
January said:
Thank you I’m not clinical - education for last 25 years & nothing to do with nursing now. Don’t need registration for job did up to about 8 years ago when contracts were changed also semi retired. I referred myself post court as I had 162 days to wait for blood result to get summons. Police didn’t inform anyone in fact they didn’t ask me my job. Employer knew from day one and no action from them, and it was last May but didn’t get to court until November
I’m exploring coming off the register under the voluntary scheme but they still do the investigation which is a total waste of money
I’m semi retired and can easily fully retire
I don’t think I could face a hearing, I have already had massive publicity in local paper including photo and full cps transcript and my solicitor transcript
How long did it take to get to the hearing ? What sentence did you get in court and did the lack of insurance impact on the NMC as well as dui ?
I’m due to revalidation in July so seeking advice over what to do if I’m coming off
It’s not the end of my 36 years of work I expected so ashamed of myself
Click to expand...
I pray all goes well for you
 
Robbo75 said:
This post has kinda helped me in a comforting way. However I am currently applying for jobs as an HCA. It took me a long time to really get over my conviction I was handed a DR10. Depression anxiety u name it. 40yrs old yes i was in the wrong and honestly wonder if I will be employable after declaring a convictions such as that of drink driving. But as you say we allake mistakes. Thank you for this post.
Click to expand...
So long as a post that involves no driving and be totally upfront perhaps ask for an informal visit and discuss it
Also offer to do some volunteer work with them. Getting good character references and showing what you have done to ensure you won’t do it again, the driving course or any support you sought
Put a package of supporting evidence to go with your application but I think the informal visit so they can eyeball you is vital
Good luck
 
January said:
So long as a post that involves no driving and be totally upfront perhaps ask for an informal visit and discuss it
Also offer to do some volunteer work with them. Getting good character references and showing what you have done to ensure you won’t do it again, the driving course or any support you sought
Put a package of supporting evidence to go with your application but I think the informal visit so they can eyeball you is vital
Good luck
Click to expand...
Much appreciated. Will follow through. Thank you.
 
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