A UK health tribunal has removed Ifenyinwa Chizube Ndulue-Nonso from the professional register after finding that she falsely claimed to be an experienced dietitian to secure employment with the NHS.

The Health and Care Professions Tribunal Service (HCPTS), in a hearing on March 2, determined that Ndulue-Nonso misrepresented her qualifications and demonstrated significant gaps in basic medical knowledge shortly after joining Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust in February 2024.

According to the tribunal, she made fundamental errors in core areas of practice, including stating that urine is stored in the gallbladder, claiming radiotherapy is used to treat heart failure, incorrectly placing the large intestine immediately after the stomach, and being unable to calculate a patient’s Body Mass Index (BMI). Her supervisor described the deficiencies as extremely concerning, noting they related to basic anatomy and essential professional competence. Concerns were raised within three days of her resumption.

Ndulue-Nonso also admitted she had no experience administering feeding via intravenous catheter or using nutritional supplements. She was reportedly observed searching online for basic medical terms while on duty. Further investigations revealed that 20 of the 28 competencies listed in her application could not be substantiated. She maintained that her responses were based on prior NHS interview preparation and her experience in Nigeria.

Although she denied intentional deception, the tribunal concluded that her actions were deliberate and sustained, posing a significant risk to patient safety.

Consequently, the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) has struck her off the UK register of dietitians, effectively barring her from practising in the country.