Stabiso Sarah Mudekunye banned from holding managerial roles as NMC imposes strict 18-month practice conditions over serious patient care risks
LONDON, 18 June 2025 — The Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) has imposed a sweeping 18-month conditions of practice order on Ms Stabiso Sarah Mudekunye, a UK-based Zimbabwean nurse, following serious concerns over her clinical oversight in a care setting in Kent.
In a virtual interim hearing on Monday, the NMC’s Investigating Committee, chaired by Angela Williams QPM, ruled that Ms Mudekunye must not work as a Registered Manager or in any role involving sole clinical responsibility, citing public protection concerns pending the outcome of a wider investigation into her fitness to practise.
The NMC panel outlined nine detailed conditions, effectively removing Ms Mudekunye from any leadership or autonomous nursing role and mandating monthly supervisory reviews, detailed audits, and immediate reporting of any clinical incident or disciplinary matter.
Background of Restrictions
Ms Mudekunye, who joined the UK nursing register in 2012, came under scrutiny after an undisclosed number of incidents raised red flags about her ability to manage patient risk, supervise care delivery, and ensure regulatory compliance particularly within domiciliary or care home settings.
The panel ruled that while a full disciplinary hearing was yet to be scheduled, the risk to patient safety was sufficient to impose interim restrictions, stating that she could not serve as the only nurse on duty or function in any role with full clinical oversight.
Conditions Imposed
Among the strict stipulations, Ms Mudekunye must:
- Avoid all roles as a Registered Manager or sole clinical lead.
- Undergo monthly performance reviews focusing on patient care, risk assessments, and service delivery.
- Report all employment, incidents, and investigations to the NMC within seven days.
- Share the conditions with all prospective employers and training institutions.
Failure to comply could lead to an immediate interim suspension.
Legal Representation and Next Steps
Represented by Elizabeth Dudley-Jones, Ms Mudekunye accepted the conditions during the hearing, which was also attended by case presenter Simon Gruchy on behalf of the NMC. The case now awaits determination by the NMC’s Fitness to Practise panel, which will assess whether the allegations warrant permanent sanctions.
The current conditions will be reviewed every six months or sooner should new evidence arise.
Broader Concerns in the Sector
This development comes at a time when concerns over standards in private homecare and agency-led care services are intensifying, with several migrant nurses facing regulatory scrutiny amid allegations of misconduct, poor oversight, and unsafe staffing practices.
Advocates for migrant health professionals urge regulators to ensure due process while also recognising the systemic pressures including understaffing, lack of training, and exploitative working conditions that may contribute to such cases.
