Woman Who Ran Warwickshire Nursing Home Threatened to Send Staff ‘Back to India’

LONDON Dec 15: A former nursing home manager in Warwickshire has been banned from practising after being found to have racially abused and intimidated staff, according to a Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) hearing.

Ms Rogers, described by colleagues as “short-tempered,” was investigated by the NMC over her conduct while managing the home during early 2020. The panel heard that between February and May 2020 she required an overseas colleague to work seven consecutive night shifts, despite concerns about their wellbeing. She also failed to provide the colleague with necessary training and told them: “You are being sponsored by a company, so you have to do whatever I tell you to do.”

The NMC found that Ms Rogers repeatedly threatened internationally recruited staff, warning them that she could cancel their visas and send them “back to India.” One colleague recalled being told on several occasions: “Remember you are being sponsored, and I can cancel your visa, and you can go back to India.” Staff said they were afraid to raise concerns due to her intimidating manner and tendency to be “short with people.”

The hearing also concluded that Ms Rogers denied adequate support and training to another Asian colleague, providing training that was inferior to that given to UK-trained staff. On one occasion, she laughed at a colleague who asked about resignation procedures and remarked: “This is England, not India.”

Witnesses described the nursing home as being run in a “toxic” atmosphere marked by chaos, bullying, and fear. One staff member said the training was “awful,” while another said employees felt unable to speak out without fear of repercussions.

The NMC determined that Ms Rogers’ management style involved persistent bullying, intimidation, and discriminatory behaviour, creating an environment in which sponsored and overseas workers felt “powerless.” She was also described as rude and dismissive, showing favouritism and allocating work unfairly while offering little support to newly recruited staff.

Additional concerns were raised about infection control during the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic, including inadequate personal protective equipment and the sharing of face shields between staff members. Ms Rogers denied the allegations and maintained that her actions were justified.

The panel concluded that her conduct and unsafe management practices posed a serious risk to both patients and colleagues. As a result, Ms Rogers was barred from practising as a nurse for 18 months following the NMC’s ruling.