Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia v Igiraneza [2025] QCAT 451

This matter was heard and determined on the papers pursuant to s 32 of the Queensland Civil and Administrative Tribunal Act 2009 (Qld)

• [1] The respondent held registration as an enrolled nurse from 18 May 2022 and in February 2023 worked in that capacity at the Mater Private Hospital.[1] At 2:45pm on the 21 May 2023, she arrived at her work having consumed a significant amount of alcohol. She was incoherent and slurring her words. She then slept for two and half hours when she was meant to be working. After returning to her shift, she was emotionally labile and continued to show adverse effects of her drinking. She performed duties involving taking patient observations but did not dispense any medications.[2]
• [2] The respondent again came to work on 21 July 2023 affected by alcohol. On this occasion her behaviour was very concerning. She yelled at a patient, wrote ineligibly in her handover notes, and attempted to tear notes from a patient's chart. As a result, a blood alcohol test was conducted at 3:56pm and she had a high reading of 0.26.[3]
• [3] The parties have agreed that:

(a) The respondent has engaged in professional misconduct under limbs (a) and (c) of the definition of that term in s 5 of the Health Practitioner Regulation National Law (Queensland) ('National Law').

(b) The respondent be reprimanded pursuant to s 196(2)(a) of the National Law.

(c) The conditions in Annexure A to the Statement of Agreed Facts, Findings and Determinations ('Annexure A') filed 26 June 2025 be imposed on the respondent's registration pursuant to s 196(2)(b) of the National Law.

• [4] In essence, Annexure A provides that the respondent completes a formal education program on ethical practise within six months of these orders, and further, that on her return to practice, she be mentored for a minimum of three sessions monthly within a nine month period from the date of these orders.
• [5] The fact that the parties make a joint submission that such orders are appropriate, is of course, a powerful reason to make them.
• [6] The respondent was from 20 September 2023, subject to conditions requiring blood alcohol testing before and after every shift, requiring her to undertake education with a general practitioner and psychologist and which limited places where she could work.[4] Those conditions were ended on 24 January 2025, so after some 16 months, and new conditions were imposed requiring her to attend a program of treatment with a mental health professional. The limit on places of practice continued.
• [7] There can be no doubt that the respondent's behaviour on each of the 21 May 2023 and 21 July 2023 dates constituted professional misconduct. It is accepted that the respondent has demonstrated an understanding of the serious nature of her misconduct. She has been cooperative during these proceedings.
• [8] A report dated 24 September 2024 of clinical psychologist Mr Ravi Tewari notes the respondent had been compliant with treatment which he said should continue for another three to six months. She had, at that time, completely abstained from alcohol for over one year. The respondent does have a relevant notification history, but it is minor. On 10 June 2022, she was charged with driving under the influence of alcohol which was a year prior to the subject behaviour and the risk associated with that has now been dealt with by the imposition of conditions in 2023 and by her subsequent conduct and treatment.[5]
• [9] In my view, the orders proposed are appropriate and I make orders in those terms.

[1] Hearing brief, filed in the Tribunal 2 October 2025, 147.