A NURSE from Bolton has been struck off after failing to keep proper records of health visits she made. 

Karen Heaton-Smith, who was a community practice teacher and health visitor for Bolton NHS Foundation Trust was struck off by the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) after three charges were brought against her. 

The NMC panel felt that Mrs Heaton-Smith had been given ample opportunity to learn from her mistakes and show remorse but had received no evidence of this so felt there was a likelihood of her repeating her actions. 

Mrs Heaton-Smith was investigated by the NMC because she failed to keep any and/or adequate health visiting records, failed to store these records securely and failed to conduct and/or record details of a primary visit for three children born in 2014.

Mrs Heaton-Smith’s failings all happened between August, 2014 and December 22, 2014. At an earlier review in December, 2017 the panel felt “Mrs Heaton-Smith’s failings were easily remediable and therefore offers her a further opportunity to engage with the NMC should she wish to continue in the profession”. 

However no evidence was submitted too the panel and Laura Gouldthorpe, case presenter for the NMC told the panel: “Mrs Heaton-Smith has not demonstrated insight into her misconduct.”

The registered nurse was given a six month suspension order while the hearing was carried out, this lapsed yesterday and the striking-off order then came into effect. Mrs Heaton-Smith will not be able to apply to be restored to the NMC register for five years. 

The hospital trust said it does not comment on individual cases.