A MENTAL health nurse’s fitness to practice was found to be impaired after a patient died following two attempts to kill himself.

Steven Adams, 42, of Cranley Road, Westcliff, was a patient at Rochford Hospital, a mental health unit, when he died.

In April last year, a jury at an inquest concluded Mr Adam’s risk of self harm was not adequately assessed or reviewed and the nurse responsible for his care has now been before a tribunal as well.

Maria Manwa was working on the Cedar Ward at Rochford’s specialist mental health hospital when Mr Adams was admitted.

Mr Adams had been sectioned under the Mental Health Act after attempting to commit suicide.

As a result he was moved to the Cedar Ward which provides acute adult inpatient care on October 20, 2016.

He died on October 24, 2016, two days after he was found hanged in his room.

At a tribunal held by the Nursing and Midwifery Council, Ms Manwa was found to have failed to complete a risk assessment or care plan for Mr Adams.

Ms Manwa also failed to make her other colleagues aware of Mr Adams’ previous suicide attempt before he was admitted on the ward and she failed to complete observations in the two hours before his death.

The panel also heard that she failed to document the last time Mr Adams was given Lorazepam - a prescribed drug to help him - in a clear and accurate manner.

Ms Manwa was found to have committed serious misconduct and as a result her fitness to practise was deemed to be impaired.

Panel chairman Najrul Khasru said: “We were of the view that your failings with regard to risk assessment, care planning, documenting observations and handing over vital information are very serious.

"The panel considered these represented a collective failure to adequately manage and communicate risk in relation to an extremely vulnerable patient.

"The risk was heightened by the fact this patient had attempted to ligature just prior to being admitted to the ward under your care and leadership.”

Ms Manwa was spared a suspension order as the panel considered there were organisational failings and since the incident she had demonstrated the ability to work safely and had shown remorse. She was made subject of a caution order for three years.