Siân was instructed by Rebecca Austin of the RCN to represent one of three nurses before the NMC. The three registrants faced the same, single charge involving the restraint or inappropriate contact with a terminally ill patient during his final admission to hospital. During a 3-week hearing, Siân cross-examined multiple witnesses, including a vulnerable complainant and an expert consultant in palliative care. Throughout the case, Siân worked closely with her co-counsel representing the other registrants. In her closing submissions at facts stage she focussed on the inconsistencies in the complainant’s account as against both other NMC witnesses and the objective medical records, as well as the way in which the complaints had arisen in the course of the investigation which had taken a number of years. She submitted that; the complainant should not be considered a reliable witness in accordance with the principles of Gestmin. The Panel found the charge not proved against all three registrants in the case.

For further information on Siân’s practice, or to instruct her, please contact James Wackett, Senior Civil Clerk or Jonathan Cue, Senior Civil Clerk (Winchester) on 020 7353 0711 or via email: clerks@pumpcourtchambers.com.