A Fife nurse who ordered drugs for her own personal use has been struck off.
Claire Farmer, who was working as a staff nurse in ward seven at Victoria Hospital in Kirkcaldy, was said to have been suffering personal difficulties at the time.
She was originally suspended for nine months by the Nursing and Midwifery Council in January 2012. That was extended for a further six months last October.
At that time the panel heard the nurse had been in an abusive relationship which had caused her serious stress and anxiety and extreme financial hardship. She was also said to have endured a difficult working relationship with a colleague.
This combination led to the development of a health condition and excessive drinking, serious enough to lead to her being admitted to hospital for treatment.
The incident came to light in February 2010 when a discrepancy between the number of Diazepam and Zopiclone tablets used as sleeping pills ordered and those prescribed to patients was discovered.
After an investigation, a conclusion was drawn that Ms Farmer, who was of previous good character, had been ordering medication for her own use. Pills were found in her possession and she made a full admission. She resigned from her post.
Ms Farmer admitted the theft from her employer at Kirkcaldy Sheriff Court later in 2010. Sentence was deferred until January 2011 when she was admonished.
At the first hearing, Ms Farmer was said to have shown entirely genuine remorse, embarrassment and humiliation at what she had done.
With the suspension due to expire, the NMC decided that given Ms Farmer had not provided an up to date report on her health and personal circumstances and had said she no longer wished to continue with her nursing registration her fitness to practise remained impaired.
They decided a striking off order would be appropriate, concluding another period of suspension would be likely to lead to further review hearings achieving nothing.