Australia, Aug. 2 -- New South Wales Land and Environment Court issued text of the following judgement on July 1:

1. This is an application by the Applicant for review of an order made by the Tribunal on 11 May 2021 cancelling his registration as a nurse. He seeks a reinstatement order under s 163B(1)(c) of the Health Practitioner Regulation National Law (NSW) ("National Law").

2. The Applicant completed a Bachelor of Nursing on 21 December 2011. He was registered as a nurse on 11 April 2012.

3. From January 2013 to June 2016, he worked as a registered nurse (mental health) at a hospital in the Sydney area. In July 2016, he began working as a registered nurse (mental health) at another hospital.

4. During 2016, the Applicant completed postgraduate studies, obtaining qualifications in clinical practice and mental health care.

5. On 26 May 2017, the Applicant commenced a night shift in an Acute Mental Health Unit. He was allocated to 8 patients. He was specifically allocated to Patient A. Patient A had a history of suicidal ideation.

6. At about 11:00 PM on 26 May 2017, he attended an observation round. He opened Patient A's door but did not go into the room. He shone a torch into the room. He said that Patient A moved and was half asleep.

7. Patient A required half-hourly checks. Between about 11:00 PM on 26 May 2017 and about 7:30 AM on 27 May 2017, the Applicant failed to conduct sufficient observation of Patient A.

8. The Applicant made records indicating that he had sighted Patient A after 11:00 PM but he had not.

9. Patient A passed away during that period of insufficient observation due to self-harm.

10. On 30 August 2017, the Applicant's employment was terminated and his name placed on the NSW Health Service Check Register.

11. The Applicant started working in a new position at a nursing home in late 2017.

12. On 11 May 2021, the Tribunal reviewed the conduct of the Applicant that occurred in May 2017. It found that complaints of unsatisfactory professional conduct against the Applicant were made out and that his conduct amounted to professional misconduct.

*Rest of the document can be viewed at: (https://www.caselaw.nsw.gov.au/decision/197aeec6876110c7b5b4e641)

Disclaimer: Curated by HT Syndication.