Pursuant to sections 42 (1) (a), 42 (2) (b), 42 (3) and 48A of the Nurses Act 1977, the Nursing Council of New Zealand ("the council"), in a decision dated 25 August 2004, ordered that Lorna Malei Kumitau, registered comprehensive nurse, be suspended from nursing practice for six months.
The council also ordered that Lorna Malei Kumitau pay $430.00 (being 35%) of the actual costs and expenses
of and incidental to the prosecution by the preliminary proceedings committee and inquiry by the council and that
a notice stating the effect of the orders be published in
the Nursing Council's Newsletter, New Zealand Gazette and Kai Tiaki: Nursing New Zealand, and released to accredited members of the media on request.
The council considered that the orders in respect of Lorna Malei Kumitau should be published in the interests of public safety to provide reassurance that accepted standards of professional practice will be upheld.
MARION CLARK, Registrar.