Nurse struck off because language barrier posed risk

A care home nurse is to be struck off because "wide-ranging competency and language issues" were putting patients at risk.

Dushka Tsekova was a registered nurse at The Manor Care Home in Old Windsor but had trouble speaking or writing in English, and her handover notes contained mistakes and duplications.

A Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) committee heard she "failed to demonstrate the standards of knowledge, skill, and judgement required to practise without supervision".

There were also concerns around the "safe administration of medication".

Ms Tsekova worked at the home between 1 April 2019 and 13 September 2019.

She was given a year-long suspension in January 2022, which has been renewed twice.

A previous panel recommended she take an English language course, keep her nursing knowledge and skills up to date, provide a "reflective statement" containing "insight into her failings", and references or testimonials from a line manager or supervisor.

But the Fitness to Practise Committee panel found that despite the time that had elapsed, there was "no evidence of engagement or improvement".

It also noted that the issues raised were "serious" and posed a "risk to the public".

The NMC report said: "Further suspension would serve no meaningful purpose.

"The panel determined that it was necessary to take action to prevent Miss Tsekova from practising in the future and concluded that the only sanction that would adequately protect the public and serve the public interest was a striking-off order."

Ms Tsekova's name will now be taken off the NMC register, with the ban coming into effect on 17 February when her suspension order ends.

The NMC is the nursing and midwifery regulator for England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland.

During Ms Tsekova's employment the care home was run by Windsor Care Limited, which could not be reached for comment. It is now run by Greensleeves Care.

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