A hospital dietitian who lacked basic anatomical knowledge—including the ability to identify the position of the intestines or explain the function of the gallbladder—secured a role at a major UK hospital after providing misleading information during the hiring process. Ifenyinwa Ndulue-Nonso was dismissed in August 2024 following an internal investigation that revealed significant gaps in her understanding of fundamental medical concepts and patient care practices.

A subsequent hearing by a professional regulatory panel determined that her actions involved deliberate and ongoing dishonesty, leading to her removal from the professional register. The hospital trust confirmed that no patients were harmed during her employment and stated that recruitment procedures have since been strengthened.

Ndulue-Nonso had applied for a Band 6 rotational dietitian position in September 2023 and was the sole candidate interviewed. During the selection process, she presented herself confidently and achieved a moderate interview score. In her application, she claimed extensive expertise in areas such as endocrinology, gastroenterology, and artificial nutrition support.

She also reported experience in delivering medical nutrition therapy for a wide range of conditions, including malnutrition, HIV, cancer, coeliac disease, irritable bowel syndrome, swallowing disorders, and eating disorders. After relocating from Nigeria, she began her role in February 2024, supported by references that were considered satisfactory by the hiring team.

Concerns emerged shortly after she started work. When her line manager returned from leave and conducted an induction meeting, discrepancies were identified between her stated experience and her actual knowledge. Senior staff had already begun documenting issues related to her performance.

As part of the investigation, multiple experienced clinicians assessed her competence. One senior dietitian concluded that she lacked essential understanding of medical conditions, biochemistry, and medication management. During questioning, she was unable to correctly identify basic anatomy—for example, incorrectly stating that the large intestine follows the stomach.

Further concerns included her inability to calculate body mass index (BMI), recognise symptoms of swallowing difficulties, or explain the risks associated with inappropriate diets for vulnerable patients. She also struggled to interpret laboratory results and clinical symptoms, which are core responsibilities in dietetic practice.

When asked to identify feeding tubes, she suggested that differences in practice between countries accounted for her uncertainty.

She was suspended in March 2024 and later dismissed. During the tribunal, she acknowledged having only limited knowledge of the role, despite previously claiming a high level of expertise.

In one instance, she incorrectly described the gallbladder as part of the kidney involved in storing urine. In reality, the gallbladder is located beneath the liver and plays a role in storing bile to aid digestion.

The hospital stated that she had been appropriately registered with the relevant professional body at the time of hiring. However, concerns were raised within days of her starting work. Officials noted that she was closely supervised while a rapid investigation took place, and decisive action was taken once the extent of the issues became clear.