Cynthia Njoku v Nursing and Midwifery Council

Facts

The appellant, Cynthia Njoku, is a registered nurse who joined St Mary's Hospital, London in February 2019 and worked as a Band 6 nurse and Nurse in Charge on the Manvers Ward, a 33-bed respiratory ward. In February 2023 the Nursing and Midwifery Council opened a referral into her under Article 22(6) of the Nursing and Midwifery Order 2001 following a complaint by another registered nurse, Person A, that she had been subjected to xenophobic behaviour from colleagues including the appellant. Four charges were preferred: that the appellant had called Person A "Polish cow", "Polish idiot", "swine nose", "a stupid old cow" and "old woman"; that she had sworn at her; that the words in charges 1a and 1b discriminated against Person A on the grounds of race; and that the words amounted to bullying. At a five-day hearing between 27 October and 3 November 2025 a Fitness to Practise Committee panel heard evidence from Person A and the appellant, who flatly denied the allegations. On 29 October 2025 the panel found charges 1, 3 and 4 proved and charge 2 not proved, and on 3 November 2025 imposed a 12-month suspension order. The appellant appealed, challenging only the findings of misconduct.