Trust investigating concerns nurse worked ‘outside remit’
More than 4,100 colposcopy patients have had their care reviewed at a hospital trust after a nurse “may have worked outside of their professional remit”.
East Suffolk and North Essex NHS Foundation Trust identified an incident at colposcopy clinics across Colchester, Ipswich or Clacton hospitals.
According to board papers from the Suffolk and North East Essex Integrated Care Board, dated 24 September, the incident involved a nurse practitioner who “may have worked outside of their professional remit”.
It said a referral to the Nursing and Midwifery Council had been made and the member of staff, who has since resigned, was “being supported”.
A colposcopy – a follow-up to a cervical screening – examines the cervix to check for abnormal cells.
The procedure is usually performed by a doctor or nurse specialist.
The trust confirmed to Nursing Times that, of the 4,100 patients impacted, 3% had been contacted and invited to attend another colposcopy appointment.
A spokesperson for the trust said: “During an ongoing review of the care of patients that attended some of our colposcopy clinics at Colchester, Ipswich or Clacton hospitals, we identified an inconsistency in the management of a number of patients and so we have invited them to attend another appointment so we can make sure that all aspects of care are complete.
“We have made sure that everyone we have invited for another appointment will be seen very quickly and we do appreciate and apologise for any anxiety this may have caused.”
The spokesperson added that all the affected patients had now been contacted.
The board papers noted that discussions had taken place across the trust about the need for a framework for advanced clinical practitioners “to ensure appropriate monitoring and supervision is in place”.
