AN NHS nurse who was sacked after stealing two tablets from a hospital pharmacy has been suspended – and told she’s “a risk to the public”.
Francesca Morgan illegally pocketed a co-codamol and paracetamol after becoming unwell on shift at Arrowe Park Hospital, near Liverpool.
CavendishFrancesca Morgan has been slapped with a six month suspension from the entire profession[/caption]
The 32-year-old was caught on a secret camera, installed by cops after staff noticed tablets missing, swallowing medication she’d taken without permission on two occasions.
She originally tried covering up her illicit behaviour, before being shown the CCTV clips.
The panel determined that a suspension order for a period of 6 months was appropriate in this case to mark the seriousness of the misconduct
The Nursing and Midwifery Council
Headache-stricken Morgan said she was working on the “assumption” nurses were allowed to have the pills.
After surveillance was set up, footage also revealed several staff members had been ignoring the correct procedure in handling medication.
Morgan, from Woolton, Liverpool, appeared at Wirral magistrates court where she pleaded guilty to two offences of theft by employee between June 6 and June 18 of last year.
She was sacked as a result and forced to move in with her grandmother.
In the latest development, the nurse has been slapped with a six month suspension.
The Nursing and Midwifery Council made the decision after a disciplinary panel found Morgan did not fully comprehend the seriousness of her actions.
In a reflective statement submitted to the disciplinary hearing, the NHS nurse said: “I realise it is not acceptable to take medication belonging to the ward as this could be seen as theft.
“I have spent many hours reflecting on the situation I placed myself in.”
She also admitted to taking the laxative lactulose while on duty.
But Morgan claimed she had “assumed consent” for pilfering the medication as she was feeling unwell.
The 32-year-old also alleged staff taking paracetamol was “commonplace” on the ward.
‘RISK TO THE PUBLIC’
However, the panel ruled: “The panel was not convinced that Miss Morgan demonstrated a full or developed understanding of the issues raised by the proven allegations.
“We consider there is a continuing risk to the public due to the registrant’s lack of full insight and failure to confirm how she would prevent it from occurring again.”
While panel members acknowledged the “hardship” Morgan faced subsequently, they believed the public wouldn’t trust the profession if action was not taken.
Panel Chair, Konrad Chrzanowski, added: “The panel noted the hardship such an order will inevitably cause Miss Morgan.
“However, this is outweighed by the public interest in this case.
“The panel considered that this order is necessary to mark the importance of maintaining public confidence in the profession, and to send to the public and the profession a clear message about the standard of behaviour required of a registered nurse.
“The panel determined that a suspension order for a period of 6 months was appropriate in this case to mark the seriousness of the misconduct.”
In December 2022, Morgan had been given 12-month conditional discharge and ordered to cough up £144 in costs.
Prosecutor Yvonne Dobson told the court at the time: “The defendant was also seen to take medication without a legitimate reason.
“She was stealing the medication for herself. On the first occasion, she took some co-codamol.
“On the second occasion it was paracetamol.
“Miss Dobson said that she was seen swallowing tablets with a drink.
“She believed that she had implied consent to take the medication. There was a lack of previous convictions but she has now lost her good character.”
Morgan’s defence counsel, Laura Flynn, told the court her client was a headache sufferer and she believed it was acceptable to take the medication due to the actions of fellow nurses.
CavendishIn December 2022, Morgan had been given 12-month conditional discharge and ordered to cough up £144 in costs[/caption]