Denise Joyce Reed's efficiency at her nursing job was scrutinized after a number of mistakes occurred under her watch. In one troubling example, she mistook blood coming from a patient’s mouth for jam.

'It's easy to make a mistake'. However if you are in the medical field, errors can have serious consequences.

Denise Joyce Reed has officially been suspended. She worked as a nurse at Swindon's Great Western Hospital.

However her efficiency at the job was scrutinized after a number of mistakes occurred under her watch. In one troubling example, she mistook blood coming from a patient’s mouth for jam.

That error was only one of 29 total charges that were brought forth against her by the Nursing and Midwifery Council. The disciplinary panel listened to witness accounts by a dozen other members of the nursing staff at the hospital.

Former co-workers stated Reed ‘failed to appreciate the seriousness of her failings’ and they also noted that she was ‘dismissive towards the concerns of patients’. Luckily no serious harm resulted from what has been referred to as her incompetency.

However after hearing all testimonies, the panel ruled that there was a serious risk of injury to patients if Reed returned to her nursing role without restrictions. Reed received an interim suspension order for 18 months, which will allow her time to file an appeal.