Alert over bogus NHS nurse

The NHS is contacting 1,000 patients after it was discovered that an unqualified London nurse has been carrying out smear tests and vaccinations for 15 years.

The nurse, Valerie Cook, 56, from Wimbledon, was named by Sutton and Merton Primary Care Trust.

She began her training in the late Sixties and attended a number of courses but never qualified and it is alleged she used a false ID card.

Mrs Cook has worked for at least five GPs since 1988 but it was only when she applied for a job with the NHS trust this year that it was discovered she was unqualified.

An investigation was launched and thousands of patient notes at GPs' surgeries have been examined. So far no cases have been found where patients appear to have been harmed.

However, the Health Protection Agency has advised that some patients be recalled to their doctors and 1,000 more have been offered new appointments.

The trust's chief executive, Ian Ayres, said: "We have instructed all GP practices in the Sutton and Merton area to conduct a new and thorough check on the professional qualifications of all their current staff and we have reminded them of their responsibilities to ensure best practice when checking staff credentials in the future."

Mr Ayres added that Mrs Cook had already been sacked from the NHS and the police had been called in.

She appeared before Wimbledon Magistrates yesterday charged with deception and forgery and an offence under the Nurses, Midwives and Health Visitors Act. The case was adjourned until 7 August and Mrs Cook was given bail.

Five GPs' surgeries where Mrs Cook is known to have worked are the Mitcham Medical Centre from October 1988 to September 1999, the Vineyard Hill Surgery from April 1999 to June 1999, the Central Road Surgery in Morden from July 1999 to December 2001, the Cannon Hill Lane Practice from August 2000 to March 2003 and Dr Chegwidden's surgery from August 2000 to March 2003.