By Our Reporter
A UK health tribunal has barred a Nigerian dietitian, Ifenyinwa Chizube Ndulue-Nonso, from practising in the United Kingdom after finding that she falsified her professional experience to secure employment with the National Health Service.
The ruling followed proceedings by the Health and Care Professions Tribunal Service, which heard on March 2 that Ndulue-Nonso misrepresented her qualifications shortly after she was employed at the Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust in February 2024.
According to the tribunal, she demonstrated significant gaps in basic medical knowledge within days of resuming duty. Findings revealed that she made fundamental errors, including incorrect statements about human anatomy and treatment procedures, as well as an inability to calculate a patient’s Body Mass Index (BMI).
Her supervisor reportedly described the deficiencies as “extremely alarming,” noting that they related to essential professional knowledge. Concerns about her competence were raised within three days of her appointment.
The tribunal also heard that Ndulue-Nonso admitted lacking experience in key clinical procedures, including intravenous feeding and the use of nutritional supplements. She was reportedly observed searching for basic medical terms online while on duty.
Investigations further showed that 20 out of the 28 competencies she claimed in her application could not be substantiated. Although she denied intentional deception and attributed the claims to her experience in Nigeria, the panel concluded that her actions were deliberate and posed a serious risk to patient safety.
Following the findings, the Health and Care Professions Council ordered her removal from the professional register, effectively banning her from practising as a dietitian in the UK.
Corrigendum: The earlier picture used was an error. We apologize and the right image has now been used.
