Nurse Struck Off For Stealing Medication, UK

Main Category: Nursing / Midwifery
Also Included In: Litigation / Medical Malpractice
Article Date: 18 Dec 2007 - 1:00 PDT

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A 53 year old Registered Nurse (Adult & Children) from Exeter, Devon was struck from the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) register after admitting to stealing medication from the top up cupboard at Bramble Ward.

Ms Barbara Ann Slee was the Deputy Ward Manager of Bramble Ward at the Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital when in August 2005 she stole 30 tablets of Lormetazepam, a drug prescribed for combating insomnia.

The independent panel heard that Ms Slee had stolen the medication for her own use and in so doing, was in breech of the NMC Code of Conduct. The panel also heard that although the theft was an isolated incident, it was a deliberate act and one for which no rehabilitative or corrective steps had since been taken. In light of the evidence proved, the panel decided that it would be in the public's best interest to strike her from the NMC register.

Commenting on the outcome of the hearing, NMC spokesperson Leila Harris said,

"Her behaviour, while not directed related to her skills as a nurse, was fundamentally incompatible with what is expected of someone in the profession. Theft of drugs is a serious departure from the relevant standards as set out in the NMC Code of Conduct as her actions did not uphold the reputation of the profession and were contrary to the laws of the UK."

The Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) is the UK regulator for two professions, nursing and midwifery. The primary purpose of the NMC is protection of the public. It does this through maintaining a register of all nurses, midwives and specialist community public health nurses eligible to practise within the UK and by setting standards for their education, training and conduct. Currently the number of registrants exceeds 682,000. The Nursing and Midwifery Order 2001 (The Order), sets out the NMC's role and responsibilities.

The independent panel is selected from a pool of individuals appointed by the Appointments Board. They come from a variety of backgrounds and are not NMC Council members, nor do they sit on any committee of the Council.

Nursing and Midwifery Council

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