An NHS nurse has lost her job after she was caught stealing two tablets from a hospital drugstore to treat her headaches while she worked.
Francesca Morgan, 32, took a co-codamol pill and, on anther occasion, a paracetamol tablet after she felt unwell while working at Arrowe Park Hospital near Liverpool in June 2021, Mail Online reports.
An investigation found that she took the drugs without the required permission in writing on the ‘assumption’ that she was allowed to.
Morgan has since pleaded guilty to two offences of theft by employee and yesterday was granted a 12-month conditional discharge at Wirral Magistrates’ Court.
Police began investigating the thefts after health officials noticed prescription medication had gone missing between June 6 and June 18 last year.
Investigators installed a secret camera which captured Morgan, of Woolton, helping herself to the drugs, the court heard.
Yvonne Dobson, prosecuting, said: ‘The hospital began an investigation due to a large number of pills needing replenishment. A tablet count was put in place to monitor the amount of medication at the beginning and end of each day.
‘That was put in place without the knowledge of the staff.
‘Following this a covert camera was put in place. A number of staff were found to not be following the correct procedure in the handling of medication.’
Ms. Dobson continued: ‘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.’