EMILY WHITELAW FROM FORTH VALLEY STRUCK OFF NURSING REGISTER OVER CHILD ABUSE NEGLIGENCE

A former nurse employed by NHS Forth Valley, Emily Whitelaw, has been officially removed from the nursing register following a disciplinary hearing held by the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC). The hearing found that her failure to act on serious concerns related to child sexual abuse placed a vulnerable child in significant danger of ongoing and severe exploitation. The incident in question dates back to 2015, during which Whitelaw was responsible for overseeing the welfare of a child in her care.

During the proceedings, it was revealed that Whitelaw advised a family support worker to refrain from taking any action regarding the allegations, citing her suspicion that the accusations might be fabricated. This advice was given despite the fact that the allegations involved a potential case of child sexual abuse, which required immediate and appropriate intervention. Her conduct was deemed to have neglected her professional duty to report such serious concerns without delay, thereby failing to protect the child from further harm.

The disciplinary panel highlighted that her responsibilities as a healthcare professional included promptly reporting any suspicions of abuse to social services or law enforcement agencies. Instead, Whitelaw’s decision to dismiss the allegations and not escalate the matter meant that the child's safety was left unprotected. The hearing also uncovered that she did not conduct sufficient home visits or manage her caseload properly, which further compromised her ability to provide adequate care.

It was emphasized by the committee that her actions—or lack thereof—had serious consequences, as they prevented an investigation into the allegations and allowed the risk of continued abuse to persist. Whitelaw, who has since retired from her nursing career, stated that she does not plan to return to practice. An NHS Forth Valley spokesperson confirmed that an internal investigation was carried out into the matter and that the NMC was notified promptly about her misconduct. The decision to strike her off the register underscores the importance of accountability and the duty of healthcare professionals to prioritize the safety and well-being of vulnerable individuals.