UK-based Nigerian nurse struck off for turning up late for shift amid multiple patient safety failures
FNA News, 19th August, 2026.
Clara Osariemen Osazuwa, who worked at Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, was removed from the nursing register after an NMC panel found multiple instances of misconduct, including an excessive Enoxaparin dose, failure to provide patient care, unauthorised absences and dishonesty.
A UK-based Nigerian nurse has been struck off the professional register after a Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) fitness-to-practise panel found a series of serious professional and patient-safety failings.
Clara Osariemen Osazuwa, an adult nurse who worked at Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, was subject to a striking-off order following an NMC hearing on 1 July 2026.
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The panel found multiple charges proved and concluded that her fitness to practise was impaired. It said her conduct represented a significant departure from the standards expected of a registered nurse and created a substantial risk of harm to patients.
The panel also imposed an 18-month interim suspension order while the striking-off order was subject to the statutory appeal period.
Nurse arrived late and said she would not work
One of the incidents considered by the panel occurred on 18 January 2023, when Ms Osazuwa arrived approximately 30 minutes late for a shift.
The panel found that she subsequently told a colleague: “I am not doing any work today,” or words to that effect.
The finding was one of several concerns about her approach to patient care and compliance with workplace instructions.
The panel also found that on 26 September 2023, Ms Osazuwa refused to follow instructions from a senior Band 6 nurse and refused to undertake patient care.
Evidence considered by the panel indicated that she instead remained in the staff room rather than contributing to patient care.
Excessive Enoxaparin dose administered
One of the most serious findings related to medication administration.
On 14 February 2023, Ms Osazuwa administered 100 international units of Enoxaparin to a patient who had been prescribed 20 units, according to evidence considered by the panel.
The medication error was investigated by the Trust and was also documented through its incident reporting process.
The panel found the charge proved.
It also found that Ms Osazuwa had attempted to dispose of the syringe after administering the medication. However, the panel specifically did not find that this was dishonest, noting that disposing of a syringe after an injection would normally be standard practice.
Similarly, a separate allegation that she lacked candour when questioned about the medication incident was not proved.
The NMC panel said the incorrect medication dose posed a significant risk of harm. However, the regulator’s determination records that no actual patient harm was established in the case.
Concerns over training and clinical practice
The panel also found that Ms Osazuwa failed to engage appropriately with mandatory training and a supervised medication round in September 2023.
Evidence presented to the panel included reports that she appeared to be asleep and was not engaged during a medical devices training session.
The following day, she also failed to engage with a supervised medicines round, which resulted in delays to the administration of time-critical medication.
The panel found these allegations proved.
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It also found that she refused to follow instructions relating to patient care and demonstrated a pattern of failing to undertake tasks after being instructed to do so.
Unauthorised absences and dishonesty
The NMC panel found that Ms Osazuwa had taken unauthorised absences on five occasions:
- 31 March 2023
- 3 May 2023
- 2 June 2023
- 12 September 2023
- 26 September 2023
The panel also found that she had falsely claimed that a colleague had told her to go home on one occasion.
It concluded that she knew the colleague had not authorised her to leave and found the allegation of dishonesty proved.
The panel further found that she had failed to engage with her employer’s Supporting Attendance policy.
Patient notes and call bells
The findings also covered basic aspects of patient care and documentation.
The panel found that Ms Osazuwa failed to prepare patient notes on several specified dates despite being asked to do so.
Evidence presented to the panel described colleagues having to complete documentation that she had not undertaken.
The panel also found that she failed to answer patient call bells on a number of occasions.
It said the evidence demonstrated a pattern in which she was repeatedly asked to undertake tasks but did not do so.
The panel considered these failures significant because incomplete records can affect continuity of care, while failing to respond to patient call bells can expose patients to a risk of harm.
Panel found deep-seated attitudinal concerns
In determining whether Ms Osazuwa remained fit to practise, the panel considered the cumulative nature of the concerns.
It found that the issues were not limited to a single clinical mistake or isolated incident.
Instead, the findings covered medication administration, failure to follow instructions, patient care, training, attendance, documentation, call bells and dishonesty.
The panel described the concerns as reflecting deep-seated attitudinal issues.
It also noted that Ms Osazuwa had not engaged with the NMC process and had provided no evidence demonstrating insight, remediation or strengthened practice.
As a result, the panel concluded that the risk of repetition remained high.
Why the NMC imposed a striking-off order
The NMC considered a range of possible sanctions before deciding that removal from the register was appropriate.
The panel rejected taking no action, a caution order and conditions of practice.
It also considered suspension but concluded that it would not provide sufficient protection for patients or maintain public confidence in the nursing profession.
The panel said the misconduct was serious, wide-ranging and fundamentally incompatible with remaining on the professional register.
It therefore directed the Registrar to strike Ms Osazuwa off the NMC register.
What the decision means
A striking-off order is the most serious regulatory sanction available to a nurse or midwife in the UK.
The NMC’s decision means Ms Osazuwa is no longer able to practise as a registered nurse in the UK once the striking-off order takes effect.
Because the striking-off order is subject to a 28-day appeal period, the panel imposed an 18-month interim suspension order to protect the public during that period.
The NMC determination states that, if no appeal is made, the interim suspension order will be replaced by the striking-off order 28 days after the written decision is served.
Patient safety and professional accountability
The case highlights the level of professional responsibility expected of nurses practising in the UK.
Safe nursing practice involves much more than clinical knowledge. Nurses are expected to follow appropriate instructions, administer medicines safely, maintain accurate records, respond to patients’ needs, engage with training and act honestly when concerns arise.
A medication error can happen in healthcare, but the regulatory significance depends on the circumstances, the seriousness of the error, the professional’s response and whether there is evidence of insight and learning.
In this case, the NMC panel considered the combined pattern of conduct, rather than treating the incidents as isolated events.
Its decision also demonstrates the importance of professional engagement when concerns are raised.
Where a nurse is subject to an employer investigation or regulatory proceedings, failing to engage can make it more difficult to demonstrate insight, remediation and a reduction in risk.
The wider message for nurses
For nurses working in the UK, the case is a reminder that professional registration comes with significant responsibilities.
Patient safety depends on everyday actions: responding to call bells, documenting care, following medication procedures, attending required training and working collaboratively with colleagues.
Where these responsibilities are repeatedly neglected, the consequences can extend beyond workplace disciplinary action to professional regulation.
The NMC said its decision was necessary to protect the public, uphold professional standards and maintain confidence in the nursing profession.
The case ultimately demonstrates that repeated failures in patient care, professional conduct and accountability can have serious consequences for a nurse’s right to practise.
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