REGULATORS have launched an investigation into claims that a nurse wrongly prescribed a hormone treatment which caused a woman to suffer two failed pregnancies.

Peter Hutchinson was twice referred to the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) in February, and has now been placed under restrictions while a full investigation takes place.

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Documents published by the NMC said: “The first (referral) alleged that you incorrectly prescribed hormone replacement therapy instead of the contraceptive pill, and as a result the patient has experienced two unsuccessful pregnancies.”

The papers did not state who Mr Hutchinson was working for when the alleged error was made.

A second referral alleged that while providing clinical cover at Slaidburn Country Practice, Mr Hutchinson made false entries in patient records during shifts in December.

Some observations and examinations were alleged to have been recorded as having been undertaken, when patients denied they had taken place.

It was claimed similar findings were made at Pendle Valley Mill, in Nelson, another practice run by East Lancashire Medical Services (ELMS), where he worked.

Mr Hutchinson has been given an 18-month conditions of practice order while the probe takes place.

ELMS said he no longer works at the Slaidburn and Nelson practices, and the NMC documents said he currently works for the Blackburn-based Coben Medical Agency and Darwen Health Centre.

He is not allowed to work elsewhere during the duration of the order.

Helen Churchill, representing Mr Hutchinson at an interim order hearing, said there were a “large number of highly positive references” for her client, adding that he is a “highly regarded practitioner”.

She told the regulator that Mr Hutchinson had accepted the drug error, but had now put safeguards on his practice, including limiting the number of patients he can see without a break.

She said he “vehemently denies” the allegations of falsifying entries and could not account for the discrepancies.