It was established the nurse had used medicines prescribed and dispensed for other patients
21:37, 09 Jul 2025Updated 09:13, 11 Jul 2025
Google Street View of Downpatrick Courthouse
A registered nurse has been fined £8,000 after being found to have unlawfully supplied prescription medication, which included botox and weight loss drugs.
Nichola Hawes of Groomsport Road, Bangor, pleaded guilty to 25 charges at Downpatrick Magistrates Court and received the sentence for unlawfully possessing prescription medicines with intent to supply, supplying prescription medicines and fraud by false representation.
It followed a Department of Health Medicines Regulatory Group (MRG) investigation into medicines prescribing and supply activities at Nichola Hawes Aesthetics Clinic in Bangor, Co Down. The investigation found that between 2021 and 2022 prescription medicines were prescribed for people without their knowledge or consent.
The DoH says it was also established that Hawes had supplied various medicinal products to clients using medicines prescribed and dispensed for other patients.
Peter Moore, the Medicines Regulatory Group Senior Medicines Enforcement Officer who directed the investigation said: “This investigation established that a registered Nurse Independent Prescriber operating in the private aesthetics sector unlawfully by-passed the regulated system, put in place to ensure the integrity of the medicines supply chain. Today’s conviction sends a clear message that there are significant consequences for those who choose to act outside the legal and regulated system.
“Following today’s conviction, the matter will now be further referred to the Nursing & Midwifery Council (NMC), the regulatory and professional body for Nurses in Northern Ireland.”
Aaron McKendry, Interim Head of the Medicines Regulatory Group, added: “This investigation demonstrates that the public can be assured that those prescribing or supplying prescription medicines to the public in Northern Ireland are subject to Departmental inspection and compliance visits to ensure that they continue to operate safely and within the law. Where that doesn’t occur, we will take effective action where necessary to protect public safety in Northern Ireland.”
In a statement on behalf of Nichola Hawes, Michael Madden of Madden & Finucane said the case showed a legal gap for independent nurses in Northern Ireland, England and Wales and the case did not involve any allegations of harm towards patients.
The statement said: “The prosecution of Nurse Independent Prescriber Nichola Hawes highlights a major gap in the current legal and regulatory framework governing independent nursing practice in Northern Ireland, England, and Wales.
“Nurse Independent Prescribers are authorised to prescribe any prescription-only medicine (POM) and yet, they are prohibited from holding even a single licensed POM, including life saving emergency drugs, as stock in their clinics. This exposes nurses to the prospect of being criminalised for holding stock medicine, even where no harm has occurred. In Scotland, by contrast, nurses working from registered premises are permitted to hold stock medicines under a proper legal framework.
“This case did not involve any allegation whatsoever of harm being caused to patients.
“These offences occurred during the difficult post-COVID period, when independent nurse prescribers faced unprecedented medicine shortages and surging patient demand.
“Nurse Hawes continues to receive strong support from colleagues, patients, and professional bodies. The court heard from senior clinicians who praised her excellence in care and noted the disparity between Northern Ireland and Scotland’s more progressive approach.
“She supports the British Association of Medical Aesthetic Nurses (BAMAN) in its campaign for urgent government review of the Human Medicines Regulations 2012, to remove the restrictions on stock medicines in nurse-led clinics and recognise the vital role of independent nurse prescribers in patient care.”
Join our Belfast Live breaking news service on WhatsApp
Click this link or scan the QR code to receive breaking news and top stories from Belfast Live. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don’t like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you’re curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.
For all the latest news, visit the Belfast Live homepage here and sign up to our politics newsletter here.