Fraudulent nurse banned after putting vulnerable babies at risk

Tanya Nasir became ward manager of the neonatal unit at the Princess of Wales Hospital in Bridgend, based on the career path she forged claiming to be an experienced neonatal nurse and former Army medic. For months, she oversaw the care of premature and critically ill babies, despite having no genuine qualifications for the role.l

She spent four months in the role in 2019 before she was suspended, after discrepancies over the dates on her application form emerged. Lies were also uncovered over her experience in A&E, children’s palliative care and intensive care, as well as her supposed military and humanitarian work.

Nasir was sentenced to five years in prison last year after being found guilty on nine counts of fraud and false representation.

Now, in a hearing by the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC), Nasir has been banned from the profession. Its committee concluded that her actions put highly vulnerable babies at "a real risk of significant harm, which could have had catastrophic consequences".

She was said to have shown “no evidence of insight or remorse for her actions”.

Kelly Lloyd Davies, principal lawyer at Slater and Gordon in Cardiff, responded: "This is a very alarming case where the lives of babies were in the hands of someone totally unfit to do this hugely responsible job. This could have had the most devastating consequences and it is right she has been banned from nursing.  

"We hope that lessons are also learned around due diligence in recruiting to such roles, and that more stringent processes are put in place to protect the babies and families who trust that staff are suitably qualified and experienced to take on such lifesaving roles."