Nurse Lied About Covid Deaths, Allowed to Return

A nursing home manager, Joanne Burchell, who provided false Covid-19 test results to her staff, has been permitted to resume her nursing practice under specific conditions imposed by the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC). The inquest into the deaths of seven residents at Holmesley Nursing Home in Sidford, Devon, revealed that crucial infection prevention and control measures were not consistently or effectively implemented.

During the pandemic, Burchell informed staff that their Covid-19 tests were negative when they were, in fact, positive. She also falsely claimed that a batch of lateral flow tests was faulty. These actions occurred while seven residents, aged between 70 and 102, tragically died from the virus in March and April 2021.

Burchell's suspension by the NMC, initially for 12 months and later extended by six months, has now concluded. A review panel determined that while her fitness to practice remained impaired on public interest grounds, conditions could safeguard the public and maintain confidence in the profession.

These conditions include the creation of a personal development plan focused on enhancing her knowledge and practice of infection prevention and control measures, allowing her to return to work.