Animol Puthanpurackal Thomas was struck off by the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) following a series of patient harm incidents and concerns over her English language proficiency at Broomfield Hospital in Chelmsford
An Essex nurse has been struck off from the profession following a series of incidents that caused “actual harm” to patients. Animol Puthanpurackal Thomas was barred by the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) after a substantive suspension order that was extended for an additional 12 months in June 2025.
Mid and South Essex NHS Foundation Trust confirmed that Ms Puthanpurackal Thomas was employed at Broomfield Hospital in Chelmsford, but ceased working for the trust in 2022. The most recent report from the NMC revealed that Ms Puthanpurackal Thomas committed numerous errors while treating patients in 2022.
The report determined that there was an “ongoing risk of harm to patients and the public associated with Ms Puthanpurackal-Thomas’ practice” Amongst the problems identified were that Ms Puthanpurackal-Thomas failed to identify when a patient was experiencing a seizure.
A string of incidents were also documented on April 26, 2022, including Ms Puthanpurackal Thomas forcing tablets into a patient’s mouth and pouring water in. The report also noted that she also prepared the wrong dosage of insulin to be given to a person under her care.
The panel stated that Ms Puthanpurackal Thomas lacked the required knowledge of English to practise safely and effectively. The latest panel noted that the nurse has not supplied any evidence to demonstrate that her grasp of the English language has improved, reports Essex Live.
The report states: “Ms Puthanpurackal-Thomas has not engaged with the process and no new evidence has been provided to demonstrate insight, remorse or strengthening of her practice during the intervening period. She has also not provided any evidence of her improved knowledge and understanding of English language or having taken an International English Language Testing System (IELTS) test.
“In light of this the panel has concluded that Ms Puthanpurackal-Thomas still has insufficient insight into her actions and there remains a likelihood that matters of the kind found proved may be repeated.”
The tribunal observed that Ms Puthanpurackal-Thomas had failed to participate in the misconduct proceedings and no fresh evidence had been submitted to show insight, remorse or improvement of her practice.
The tribunal additionally observed that the allegation regarding her limited grasp of English was an aggravating element, and seemed to exacerbate her underlying substandard practice.
The tribunal determined that public trust in the profession would be damaged if a finding of impairment were not reached in this instance.
It was ruled that the sole penalty that would sufficiently safeguard the public and serve the public interest was a striking-off order.
This permanently erases Ms Puthanpurackal-Thomas from the professional register, legally barring them from practising as a registered nurse, midwife, or nursing associate.
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