Health Care Complaints Commission v Richards [2020] NSWCATOD 61

Civil and Administrative Tribunal New South Wales Medium Neutral Citation: Health Care Complaints Commission v Richards [2020] NSWCATOD 61 Hearing dates: 27 May 2020 Date of orders: 27 May 2020 Decision date: 27 May 2020 Jurisdiction: Occupational Division Before: J O'Meally AM RFD, Principal Member D Armitage, Senior Member L Carlin, Senior Member A Gray, General Member Decision: (1) The respondent is reprimanded. (2) The respondent is satisfactorily to complete an ethics course focusing on ethical and professional obligations approved by the Nursing and Midwifery Council of New South Wales within six (6) months of commencing work as a nurse/midwife in Australia or as specified by the Council. (a) Within two (2) weeks of being notified that the course is approved, the practitioner must provide evidence to the Council of enrolment in the specified or approved course. (b) Within four (4) weeks of completing the specified or approved course, the practitioner is to provide documentary evidence of satisfactory completion to the Council. (3) The respondent shall pay the applicant's costs as agreed or assessed. Catchwords: PROFESSIONS AND TRADES – health care professionals – nurses – act of dishonesty – removal of credit card from colleague's handbag in nurses' locker room – credit card not used – unsatisfactory professional conduct – professional misconduct Legislation Cited: Health Practitioner Regulation National Law (NSW) Cases Cited: Briginshaw v Briginshaw (1938) 60 CLR 336; [1938] HCA 34 Category: Principal judgment Parties: Health Care Complaints Commission (Applicant) Bianca Richards (Respondent) Representation: Solicitors: Health Care Complaints Commission (Applicant) No appearance by Respondent File Number(s): 2020/00014000 Publication restriction: Nil.