Question: I am an enrolled nurse working in a public hospital. Recently I received a letter setting out allegations regarding my conduct. It also said that a Service Check Register record had been created. Isn’t that prejudging me?
Answer: Under PD2013_036 (Service Check Register for NSW Health), specified criteria are identified as to when an SCR record is to be created. Section 4.3 sets these out, and based on the information you have provided, the only reason that an SCR record can be made is if a decision has been made to take administrative action in relation to you to mitigate any immediate concerns relating to the alleged misconduct whilst the investigation is ongoing.
For example, a risk assessment may lead to a decision to direct a person who is the subject of allegations to a changed place of work, and/or a limitation is placed on their scope of practice, or in the most extreme situations, suspended from work altogether until the investigation is completed. In such situations an SCR record is contemplated.
Under the policy directive, you are obliged to be notified of such a decision prior to the SCR record being created, except in the case of a significant risk management issue.