The College did not release any specifics about the complaints or subsequent investigation.
Following an internal investigation, a former Royal College of Nursing (RCN) Chair of Council has been expelled from the College.
Last year Dave Dawes was publicly suspended from his elected role as Chair of Council and Council Member for the North West after “complaints” were received around his conduct.
The RCN did not release any specific details about the investigation findings nor about the complaints made against Mr Dawes.
Mr Dawes has subsequently criticised the RCN’s very public handling of the process, questioning a lack of confidentiality.
Expelled.
In a statement announcing the expulsion, a spokesperson for the RCN said: “The investigations and internal RCN processes in respect of the previous Chair of Council Mr Dave Dawes have now concluded. He has been expelled from membership of the College.
“In the period since last summer, the RCN’s new elected and executive leadership collectively have made progress on changing the organisation’s culture. Behaviours that fall below the standard that members can expect of their College will be challenged.
The College added, “Our commitment to zero tolerance, not least concerning protected characteristics, is strong. Further announcements will be made in the coming weeks concerning the RCN’s reform of governance, culture and ways of working.”
Whistleblower.
Mr Dawes told NursingNotes he has lodged a formal complaint for the “victimisation of a whistleblower”. Responding to the RCN’s statement, Mr Dawes added, “I whistleblew on the RCN’s cover-up of the Bruce Carr enquiry into the real circumstances behind Dame Donna Kinnair’s removal last year and I have been removed from the RCN as a result.”
He went on to allege; “Bruce Carr’s report was submitted last November and has been covered up and hidden from the membership. Bruce Carr chaired the panel that removed me from Council and RCN membership for exposing this cover up of his report.
“An employment tribunal claim for victimisation of a whistleblower was lodged several months ago and the truth will emerge at that hearing. I fully expect that hearing to reinstate me.”
The RCN says it refutes Mr Dawe’s claims in the “strongest possible terms”.
