Nurse survives on job despite his broken English

London : An Indian nurse who could barely understand English and refused to learn the language was told yesterday he could return to his hospital and carry on working.

The decision by the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) came despite the watchdog commenting on his "worrying" lack of competence.

Biju John, 38, had insisted he was able to understand instructions and wrote to the council stating: "I never be confused at all."

But staff felt they were "carrying" him and did not feel safe leaving patients in his care, an NMC hearing was told. John also had a limited knowledge of basic nursing skills and did nothing when a patient was struggling to breathe, it was claimed.

The NMC heard John should have started basic airway management as the man gasped for breath after coming round from an operation at Leicester Royal Infirmary. But instead he had to be helped by a colleague who rushed over when she heard the man's wheezing.

On another occasion John almost caused a patient to go into shock when he wore latex gloves to treat him despite being told he was allergic to the material.

Disciplinary hearing

The hospital then devised a set of objectives for the nurse, including meeting the required standard of English so he could effectively communicate with staff and colleagues.

But he failed to reach the targets and was kept on supervised practice.

A further incident on October 20, 2004 led to John being suspended and a disciplinary meeting was scheduled for January 20, 2005, but he quit seven days before. He was later reported to his regulating body.

John, from Cambridge, was found guilty of seven charges relating to his lack of competency when he worked at the hospital between July 2003 and December 2004.

These include failing to complete basic skills required of a nurse, not demonstrating his English was sufficient to communicate with colleagues effectively — which gave rise to the incident with the latex gloves — and failing to take appropriate action when a patient's oxygen levels dropped.

He was cleared of mistaking the Surgical Assessment Unit for the Surgical Acute Care Unit.

NMC chairman David Kyle said John's lack of competence was "worrying" but "not irremediable".

But the panel ruled John could return to work subject to conditions.

John must tell the NMC where he is working, remain supervised, complete a personal development plan and an English language test. If he complies with the conditions, he will be allowed to return to normal practice after 18 months.