Tina Patricia Orbell, a nurse who worked at University Hospital Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust, has been suspended for six months after a Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) misconduct panel found her guilty of sharing and commenting on offensive material on social media. The posts, which included phrases like “stop the boats” and “deport them all”, were deemed to contain discriminatory language.
Details of the Offensive Posts
Between July 2024 and February 2025, Orbell shared and commented on material that the NMC described as “inflammatory, discriminatory and hostile”. One post read: “Due to the red weather warning Starmer has asked the illegals to use the channel tunnel.” Under a photo of a crowd waving Union and England flags, she wrote: “Stop the boats! I predicted that eventually the British would come together and fight back. This government is corrupt through and through! We deserve better.” In another comment, she wrote “deport them all”.
Referrals and Investigation
In early 2025, the NMC received referrals from three members of the public and three former colleagues, raising concerns about the material Orbell had shared. Following these referrals, she deleted her Facebook and Instagram accounts. The panel heard that Orbell had shown insight into her conduct but also tried to minimise her culpability, claiming she was not “IT savvy” and misunderstood “how social media works”.
Panel Findings and Sanction
The panel found the posts “contained offensive, derogatory and discriminatory language towards people of different races, religions and immigration statuses”. Orbell apologised and expressed remorse, stating in an employment form that she felt “deep shame and regret”. However, she did not provide written representations regarding her sanction and indicated she had retired with no intention of returning to the profession. The panel imposed a six-month suspension order and an interim suspension order for 18 months.
