Leeds nurse 'fell asleep' during training and gave patient excess dose

A Leeds nurse has been struck off for failing to turn up to work, appearing to fall asleep during a training session and refusing to follow instructions.

Clara Osariemen Osazuwa also administered an excessive dose of medicine and put patients at risk of harm, a committee has found.

The National Midwifery Council (NMC) received a referral on February 24, 2023 from a staff nurse at Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, raising concerns about Ms Osazuwa’s clinical practice and attitude whilst working.

She initially engaged with internal investigations but failed to attend the conduct hearing on May 28, 2024, and did not engage with the NMC.

They found that Ms Osazuwa refused to engage with a training session and supervised medication round on September 11 and 12, 2023.

A witness said she was “being rude” to the trainer and “kept turning her back to him whilst he was talking to her.” It was noted by the trainer that Ms Osazuwa “appeared to be asleep” in the meeting.

It was also proven that Ms Osazuwa refused to follow a colleague’s instructions and undertake patient care, and failed to prepare patient notes or answer bell calls on a number of occasions.

She took unauthorised absence from work on five occasions and was dishonest in claiming that a colleague had told her to go home.

On January 18, 2023, she turned up for a shift half an hour late, before telling a colleague she was “not doing any work today”.

Ms Osazuwa administered an excessive dose of Enoxaparin to a patient on February 14, despite being told not to administer medication unless under supervision. She tried to dispose of the syringe when she was confronted about her actions, and a witness said she “became very defensive and argumentative”.

The NMC report said: “The panel found that Ms Osazuwa’s actions, namely in terms of the incorrect dosage of medication she administered, her refusal to comply with instructions and training and her complete disregard for prioritising patient care, meant there was substantial risk of patient harm in the past.”

It added: “The panel found that due to the multiple opportunities to receive help and Ms Osazuwa not taking them, as well as the lack of insight shown, the risk of repetition of the behaviour is high.

“The panel therefore decided that a finding of impairment is necessary on the grounds of public protection.”

The NMC concluded that Ms Osazuwa’s fitness to practise is impaired, and she was struck off from the nursing register.