Late one morning my mobile went. It was Kenny we'd never met but he had found one of our cards at the NMC hearing centre and wondered if we could help. Kenny was attending a restoration hearing - this is a hearing to see after strike off if you are able to be returned to the register. Kenny was unprepared for what was expected and as he had no legal support, the legal assessor paused the hearing and advised him to ask for an adjournment so he could seek more guidance.

Kenny was candid about his past issues - he had reached crisis point in his private life which had overspilt into his professional one. However, he had worked hard over the last few years to rectify these problems and it was apparent from speaking to him with a little help he deserved a second chance. We helped Kenny learn what the panel would be expecting at a restoration hearing and what he needed to show to give them confidence he no longer posed a risk to the public. By talking to others on the group he was able to build his confidence in the process and present himself at his new restoration hearing positively. Kenny was allowed to return to the register subject to a Return to Nursing course and now completed, is enjoying his role in a speciality he is loving. He continues to be an active part of our group, you can read more about his story here .  He is keen to help us raise awareness of the issues people face when going through investigations and highlights in an interview with The Nursing Times that his situation was far from unique and his story could have ended very differently. He is a fantastic example of how given the right support and right insight nurses and midwives previously excluded from the register can return to the profession again as valuable members of the profession.