Royal Lancaster Infirmary Hospital nurse struck off after assaulting vulnerable dementia patient

Wednesday, 30 October 2024 15:26

A former nurse at Royal Lancaster Infirmary Hospital who hit a vulnerable dementia patient has been struck off.

A case against Eugenia Mujima Ugwoaga, concerning allegations from 2021 to 2023 has been heard by the Nursing and Midwifery Council.

She didn’t attend the hearing, and the case was heard in her absence, after the panel was satisfied that Mrs Ugwoaga had been correctly served with the Notice of Hearing in September.

Among the allegations, the NMC heard that in August 2021, while working on Ward 3, Mrs Ugwoaga shouted at another nurse in front of patients and family members.

It was also found that in January 2022, while working on Ward 23, Mrs Ugwoaga yelled and swore at another nurse, who claimed the incident occurred after she spotted Mrs Ugwoaga handing out full face masks to other nurses working in a Covid-19 bay.

The nurse said Mrs Ugwoaga started to shout in Nigerian and swear and spit at her, while using ‘really intimidating’ body language.

The panel accepted that she shouted and swore at her colleague, but the claim of spitting was not upheld.

In September 2022, Mrs Ugwoaga was seen hitting a male patient suffering with severe dementia.

She was subsequently charged to the police, but then failed to attend Preston Magistrates Court in March 2023 after being charged with common assault by postal requisition.

She also failed to notify the NMC of her charge despite being aware of their code of conduct.

The panel judged that due to the conduct shown, Mrs Ugwoaga’s fitness to practise was impaired, and as a result, a striking off order was the most suitable sanction.

A report following the hearing concluded that: “Mrs Ugwoaga’s conduct was a significant departure from the standards expected of a registered nurse.

“The panel considered that the serious breach of the fundamental tenets of the profession evidenced by Mrs Ugwoaga’s actions is fundamentally incompatible with Mrs Ugwoaga remaining on the register.

“In this particular case, the panel determined that a suspension order would not be a sufficient, appropriate or proportionate sanction.”

The panel therefore imposed an interim suspension order for a period of 18 months to cover any potential period of appeal.

If no appeal is made, then the interim suspension order will be replaced by the striking off order 28 days after Mrs Ugwoaga is sent the decision of this hearing in writing.

There is a full copy of the NMC’s judgement here