Caution for nurse in jab blunder

AN Oldham nurse who accidentally injected a receptionist with adrenaline at a safety demonstration has been allowed to keep her job.

Oripa Joyce Daka (56) had been given a demonstration needle and a real one to examine — and plunged the wrong one into the secretary’s leg.

She also mixed up a blood test, which prompted a 74-year-old woman to be told she was about to have a heart attack, the Nursing and Midwifery Council heard.

Daka admitted both blunders at the Al-Kowsar Surgery in Windsor Road, Oldham, and the NMC panel ruled that her fitness to practise was impaired.

Alex Dos Santos, speaking for Daka, said: “These were not deliberate actions. This is someone who approached this work with good intentions.

“When you put these actions in the context of the career she has had you can put them at the lower end of the scale.”

Handing her a two-year caution order panel chairman Catherine Duthie said: “In reaching this decision the panel has considered testimonials from patients and doctors which speak favourably of her nursing skills.”

She added: “Taking all these factors into account a conditional caution order is an appropriate course to take.”

Daka had admitted both charges, but denied they impaired her fitness to practise.

The two-year caution order will be triggered 28 days after Daka is notified in writing.