CAROL WELCH SHOCKS CATTARICK: NURSE SUSPENDED OVER END-OF-LIFE CARE FAILURES

In a serious breach of professional standards, nurse Carol Welch has been suspended from her duties following allegations of neglect during a night shift at the Rosedale Nursing Home in Catterick. The incident involved the inadequate care provided to a terminally ill elderly patient, raising concerns about the quality of end-of-life care within the facility.

According to reports submitted to the Nursing and Midwifery Council, Welch failed to carry out essential care procedures that are critical for maintaining the dignity and comfort of patients in their final hours. Specifically, she did not perform pressure care, which is vital to prevent bedsores and other complications, nor did she attend to the patient's oral hygiene by wiping away blood from his mouth or moistening it, as recommended in standard care protocols.

The patient, who was in the final stages of life and entirely dependent on the staff for his basic needs, was found on October 12, 2013, with a severe pressure sore on his upper thigh. This wound indicated a neglect of proper turning and repositioning, which are crucial to prevent such injuries. Welch admitted that she did not administer pressure care during her shift, justifying her actions by claiming that she believed it was unnecessary given the patient's condition. However, this reasoning was challenged by the care plan, which explicitly stated that the patient should have been turned regularly throughout the night to prevent pressure ulcers.

Furthermore, the care documentation was found to be lacking, with no entries indicating that mouth care or repositioning had been performed during her shift. The panel overseeing the case concluded that Welch’s omissions directly contributed to the harm suffered by the patient. They emphasized that maintaining dignity and providing compassionate end-of-life care are fundamental responsibilities of healthcare professionals.

While there was no evidence to suggest malicious intent on Welch’s part, her failure to adhere to established care standards was deemed serious enough to warrant disciplinary action. As a result, she was suspended from her professional register for a period of six months. The panel also recommended that Welch be temporarily removed from the register until she demonstrates that her practice has been properly remediated and that she can meet the required standards of care moving forward.