An experienced nurse was sacked from a hospital after failing a series of basic tests, a hearing was told.

Beverley Watkins, 52, was put under supervision while working at Worthing Hospital but failed to improve after months of intense monitoring.

Melanie McDonald, for the Nursing and Midwifery Council, told the committee Watkins’ problems were first noticed in December 2005 – ten years after she qualified.

She explained: “The main areas of concern were drug administration, care of critically ill patients and observations. She appeared to lack confidence.

“She was moved to another ward and put under supervision and throughout 2006 Watkins underwent a series of assessments but still failed her competence tests.

“Having failed to meet the competences that had been identified, Watkins then had two months off on sick leave.

“In February 2007, she was given a final warning and put under observation for six weeks but by May she had still failed to meet the levels required.

“There were discussions about her redeployment as a health care worker but that did not work so her employment was terminated.”

Watkins, from Worthing, is not attending the hearing in Central London. She denies maladministration of drugs and failing various assessments.

She further denies that her fitness to practise is impaired due to her lack of competence.

The hearing continues.