NMC: Berkshire nurse is struck off for drugs theft
Friday, 11, May 2007 12:00
A nurse form Berkshire has been struck off the register after being found guilty by a criminal court of stealing ketamine.
A panel of the Nursing and Midwifery Council's (NMC) Conduct and Competence Committee yesterday found John McDonald Monaghan's fitness to practise impaired.
The panel heard that on 26 April 2005, Basingstoke Magistrates Court convicted John MacDonald Monaghan of two counts of stealing the drug, most commonly used for the induction of general anaesthesia, or as a sedative in intensive care. Ten further similar offences were taken into account.
It heard that Monaghan removed the drug from the sharp's bin and was seen behaving oddly in the emergency room when he was clearing away partially used ketamine from a patient for whom he was not responsible.
Commenting on the panel's decision to strike Monaghan off the register, NMC spokeswoman Polly Kettenacker said:
"Such serious offences of dishonesty are clearly incompatible with being a registered nurse. His behaviour could well have caused vulnerable patients direct and indirect harm. Moreover, Mr Monaghan has not attempted to demonstrate insight into his repeated failings. The panel therefore felt it had no choice but to strike him off the register."
Ends
Notes for Editors
1. 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 686,000.
The Nursing and Midwifery Order 2001 (The Order), sets out the NMC's role and responsibilities.