The Nottingham Inquiry is now resuming after a short break, following the conclusion of Dr Adamson’s evidence.
The inquiry is now hearing from Amber O’Brien, the professional mental health lead at the Royal College of Nursing, who has held that role since 2024.
The role sees Ms O’Brien providing national experise on mental health nursing, as well as supporting members, shaping policy and influencing practice.
The Royal College of Nursing is the world’s largest body and trade union for nursing, with over 560,000 members. It exists to provide advice, guidance and training to those it represents, but it does not have a regulatory function, although it does support quality improvement.
Speaking about the important role that a mental health nurse has, Ms O’Brien says: “The nurses will spend the most time with patients and that will have a big impact on a patient’s recovery journey, their care journey, their risk management and because nurses spend so much time with patients, that’s why we’re seen as a safety critical role.”
Three such mental health nurses in Nottinghamshire are now being considered in terms of their fitness to practice by the regulator, the Nursing and Midwifery Council. The NMC’s boss is giving evidence later at the inquiry, after the conclusion of Ms O’Brien’s evidence.