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By CAROLINE WILSON
A NURSE who helped herself to powerful opiate drugs intended for patients over a three-month period has been struck off the register.
Claire McAllion was responsible for keeping medication stocked up at the theatre department at Inverclyde Royal Hospital in Greenock.
An inquiry by nursing regulators found she had removed quantities of a strong opiate painkiller Tramadol over a three-month period.
She was referred to the police following in inquiry by hospital bosses and was found guilt of fraud earlier this month at Greenock Sheriff Court.
Ms McAllion was handed a community payback order and has now been told she can’t continue to work as a nurse.
A lawyer acting on behalf of the Nursing and Midwifery Council found there was a potential risk to patients at the hospital who may have been deprived of drugs intended for their wellbeing.
Mr Yusuf Segovia said Mr McAllion’s actions were also a serious breach of trust. The inquiry panel said it was of particular concern that she had not expressed any remorse or insight into her actions and said that allowing to continue working would “undermine public confidence in the profession.”
The panel said: “Her actions were an abuse of that trust and have damaged the reputation of the nursing profession.
“She committed a crime of dishonesty at work and abused her position of trust.”
Inverclyde Royal serves a population area of 125 000 including Inverclyde, Largs and the Isle of Bute.
Ms McAllion was suspended for 18 month, which will be replaced by a striking off order if no appeal is put forward.