Nurse testing fraud: NMC strips seven of UK registration
Posted 04 July 2024 - 14:38
Individuals sat competence tests at overseas centre, but have been removed from Nursing and Midwifery Council register after ‘exceptionally fast’ completion times ruled to be result of fraud
Seven nurses have been removed from the Nursing and Midwifery (NMC) register following investigations into suspected widespread fraud at a Nigerian test centre.
The regulator began individual registration hearings in March involving 48 registrants whom it suspected may have obtained their registration fraudulently because their computer-based competence test (CBT) completion times were deemed exceptionally fast.
So far, nine hearings have taken place, resulting in seven nurses being removed from the UK register, one hearing being adjourned, and one individual remaining on the register.
Half-hour numeracy test completed in three minutes
The CBT is split into two parts: a numeracy test lasting 30 minutes and a clinical test lasting two hours and 30 minutes. In one case, an applicant completed the numeracy test in just three minutes and four seconds. Another completed the clinical test in nine minutes 25 seconds.
The nurses removed from the register are: Busayo Tosin Akinola, Folashade Tolulope Onibudo, Esther Temitayo Ayelabowo, Tomilola Gbenro, Adetomi Adewale, Micheal Omoniyi and Benedicta Obiri.
Concern about exam proxy: one former NMC registrant’s case
The most recent case heard was that of Micheal Omoniyi, who completed the multiple-choice clinical test in 17 minutes and 30 seconds.
The case report for the hearing states the NMC’s belief he had used a proxy to sit the test.
However, Mr Omoniyi told the panel his speed was because he was an ‘exceptional candidate’ who had recently taken part in a national quiz and also that he had revised for his final qualifying exams. He said some of the practice questions on test provider Pearson Vue’s website were the same as those in the computer-based competence test he sat.
He later retook the test and completed it quickly again in just under 26 minutes. Despite this, the panel said it did not find his response credible and found he had acted fraudulently.
Test provider raised concerns
Nurses educated overseas must pass a CBT in order to apply for UK registration. In May 2023, test provider Pearson Vue raised concerns about possible fraudulent activity at the Yunnik Technologies test centre in Nigeria. An investigation by the provider and the regulator uncovered hundreds of potentially fraudulent results.
In NMC council papers of 3 July, the regulator confirmed a further 39 hearings are to take place. It has placed no restrictions on the practice of any of the individuals involved.
NMC executive nurse director of professional practice Sam Foster said: ‘A key priority for us is to resolve the significant volume of CBT cases as swiftly and safely as possible, minimising distress for everyone. We are continuing to work closely with all parties, including representatives, to schedule the remaining hearings. We need to ensure these are held in a fair way. We have a dedicated team in place to progress the cases.’
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