MKHETIWA: DRINK DRIVE NURSE GIVEN A CAUTION

A drink-driving nurse has been allowed to continue working after being cautioned for 18-months.

Ronald Mhlope Mkhetiwa was convicted of driving without insurance and failing to provide a breath specimen in 2008, resulting in a three year disqualification.

Six years earlier in 2002, he was convicted of drink driving and speeding, for which he was banned from the road for two years.

Mkhetiwa, who registered as a mental health nurse in March 2003, was handed the caution by a Nursing and Midwifery Council misconduct panel, which found his fitness to practice was impaired.

However further charges alleging he had fallen asleep at work and being drunk on duty, while working at a mental health hospital, were dismissed.

He was further cleared ‘inappropriately’ hugging a patient by wrapping his arms around him and nuzzling into his neck.

The alleged incidents took place during the night shift at York House Mental Health Hospital, on November 3, 2008.

Based in York, the independent hospital provides rehabilitation for ‘extremely vulnerable’ people who suffer from severe mental, physical and emotional problems following brain injuries. 

The hearing was told that when Mkhetiwa hugged Resident A from behind, he spilt tea on the newspaper he was reading, and the patient became very agitated.

But the NMC panel ruled that although Mkhetiwa’s actions were ‘misguided’, there were no guidelines about touching patients and it did not constitute misconduct.

During the same shift it was claimed he had been ‘snoring loudly’ while on duty and colleague Donna Hatton said she had to shake him before he eventually woke in a daze.

But Mkhetiwa, who is now caring for elderly patients at a branch of Southern Cross in York, insisted ‘I am not a snorer’ and denied sleeping on duty.

He insisted he was simply taking a break after developing a headache.

Mhketiwa further denied he was intoxicated and said he was suffering from the side effects of taking anti-depressants.

NMC panel chairman, Mary Porter, said: ‘We believe Mr Mhketiwa was unaware that he had fallen asleep for a short time, caused by fatigue from the drugs he was taking and a headache.

‘Prior to this event he was a diligent practitioner and this is a one off incident.’

Although Ms Porter described the driving convictions as ‘very serious matters’, she added: ‘We have an obligation to uphold the good reputation of the nursing profession and the convictions were a clear breach.

‘The offences were too serious not to take action, but a caution is a fair and proportionate sanction.

‘Mr Mhketiwa’s colleagues spoke highly of him in this hearing and he has expressed regret and remorse for failings which were outside the nursing profession.

‘He has suffered considerably from a financial point of view since he was suspended.

‘He is a valuable member of the profession and it would be wholly inappropriate to make any order which prevents him from working as a nurse.’

Mhketiwa told the NMC panel: ‘I have a long career that up until now was no cause for concern.

‘I deeply regret what has happened in the past and I am eternally grateful that I will be able to continue to practise and give the care that I vowed to do when I signed up for the profession of nursing.’ 

The married father-of-four also told of the deep anguish that he had experienced since the allegations were made.

‘This destroyed the concept of life as I know it and I have suffered considerably as a consequence of my convictions,’ he said. 

‘After I was suspended from the hospital, I was unable to provide for my now wife and four children.

‘At the time I was convicted of the driving offences in 2008, I was even forced to sleep in my car.

‘But now I have got my life back.’

Mhketiwa admitted the driving offences.