Lack of competence

We recognise that nurses,  midwives and nursing associates sometimes make mistakes or errors of judgement. Unless it was exceptionally serious, a single clinical incident would not indicate a general lack of competence on the part of a nurse, midwife or nursing associate.

Substandard care that calls into question a nurse, midwife or nursing associate’s competence would usually involve an unacceptably low standard of professional performance, judged on a fair sample of their work, which could put patients at risk. For instance when a nurse, midwife or nursing associate also demonstrates a lack of knowledge, skill or judgement showing they are incapable of safe and effective practice.