A lab assistant who arrived for work at the Isle of Wight NHS Trust in an “unfit state” on three occasions in 2012 has been ‘struck off’ the medical register.
A hearing by the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) on 23rd June found the female biomedical scientist had attended work on three occasions on the Isle of Wight in 2012 “under the influence of alcohol” and had to be sent home from work.
Dismissed in 2013
Following an internal investigation in 2013, the woman, who first starting worked for the Isle of Wight NHS Trust in 1982 following a period of work experience, was dismissed.
She did not attend the hearing, nor offer any legal representation.
Fitness to practice remains ‘impaired’
The HCPC Panel took into consideration all the documentation before it, as well as submissions of the Presenting Officer.
They determined the “Registrant’s fitness to practise remains impaired”.
The Panel noted their concern about the continuing lack of engagement by the lab assistant and could see “no evidence of any insight nor remorse by the Registrant”.
Despite “clear and helpful suggestions from the Panel” she had also provided nothing to indicate any remediation or any interest in returning to practice.
Did not work while incapacitated
A spokesperson for the Isle of Wight NHS Trust told OnTheWight,
“Her employment with Isle of Wight NHS Trust terminated on 4th June 2013. Her employment was managed in accordance with the Trust’s Capability and Attendance Management processes. Our quality control systems have never highlighted concerns with her work but we were concerned about her use of alcohol.
“We are confident that she did not work while incapacitated due to internal systems in place at that time to assess her fitness for work. The Trust recognises that alcohol and drug related problems are issues that affect our staff and we provide access to help for employees who suffer from such problems.”
Article edits
7.7.16 – Statement from IW NHS Trust added.
