A nurse who stole strong painkillers and used them while in charge of a ward full of dementia patients has been struck off.
Frederick Alison admitted self-administering codeine phosphate oral suspension, which had not been prescribed to him, while on duty between September 2011 and February 2012.
At the time he worked as a senior staff nurse on the Kinclaven Ward at Murray Royal Hospital, Perth.
Alison, who lives in Newtyle, told The Courier he “very much deserved” to be struck off.
In addition to the codeine phosphate oral suspension, Alison stole the painkiller Tramadol; sedative Lorazepam and Gabapentin, a seizure medication.
Five other drugs, along with needles and a syringe, were found in his locker after suspicions were raised, and Alison also destroyed ward records to hide what he had done.
His case was heard before a conduct committee at the Nursing and Midwifery Council on Monday, but Alison was neither present nor represented.
The panel was shown a document entitled “‘your response to the charges” in which Alison had marked all boxes as “yes”, thereby admitting the charges.
The panel heard that on January 11 2012 a key was found in Alison’s uniform after it had been sent to the laundry.
At that time it was discovered that pages were missing from the drug order book and when copies were obtained it showed Alison had been ordering far more drugs than was needed for the eight-bed ward.
When his locker was searched “significant amounts” of empty bottles and blister packs were found.
At a meeting with senior staff Alison admitted stealing the medicines and to self-administering codeine phosphate on regular occasions over a six-month period while on duty on the ward.
He also admitted that he had taken and disposed of the copies of drug orders that would normally be kept on the ward to conceal his actions.
In a written statement for that meeting, dated February 17 2012, Alison said health matters had a bearing on his conduct.
He wrote: “I have been ashamed of myself for a long time now and fearful of losing my family, my job, and my registration.
“I did not think I was putting patients or colleagues at risk because when I took codeine I felt in control…”
Alison had worked for the hospital since 1997 but has not worked in healthcare since 2012 and it’s understood he now works for a landscaping company.
The panel ordered that he be removed from the nursing register.
Speaking to the Courier, Mr Alison said: “I am guilty as charged and offer no excuses and very much deserve to lose my registration.
“What I would say is that at the time of the offences I was not of sound mind.
“I have suffered from depression for many years, and was addicted to pain-killing medication at the time of the offences.”