Areas of Practice
If you are facing NMC, SWE or HCPC fitness to practise proceedings, you are probably feeling both upset and very worried; quite justifiably so. As an example, in 20% of NMC cases that go through a full investigation, the case ends with the nurses or midwife being struck off the register, suspended or subject to conditions of practice*
Even if I am not able to attend your hearing, my advice can be the difference between being struck off the register, and keeping your PIN, as in the case of MA, who said afterwards:
Wherever your hearing, I can represent you throughout at both interim and final adjudication hearings, at the latter closely questioning the NMC, SWE or HCPC witnesses for you and making persuasive submissions on your behalf at all stages.
Although it is better to instruct me early, I deal with these applications even at short notice. My record in restoration hearings is impeccable, both at the NMC and HCPC. It is my firm belief, that with the right approach, it is rare that these applications will not be successful. I have a number of testimonials here, from happy professionals who have been restored to their respective registers.
If the police or others want to interview you, you should be worried. Your professional status is at risk.
Criminal allegations lead to difficulties with DBS checks, problems with revalidation, fitness to practice proceedings by your regulator, and in some cases, criminal trials leading to convictions and sentences of imprisonment in the crown court.
You should say nothing to police without taking proper legal advice. You need to think defensively from the very first minute.
Where your employer involves the police, you face a complex situation which requires sure and confident advice. Often the police will want to interview you under caution, either voluntarily or having been arrested.
My years of criminal law experience, gathered in
thousands of interviews under caution, mean that I get the optimum result for you where there are parallel investigations - I know well how to manage both aspects so that you do not prejudice one by what you say in the other.