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Karen Ellen Marks, a clinical support worker at Furness General Hospital, stole the controlled drugs after becoming addicted.
The 47-year-old, of Coulton Street, Barrow, pleaded guilty to theft and possession of a class B and class C drugs when she appeared at Furness Magistrates Court on Tuesday.
Marks was found by police to be in possession of codeine, a class B drug, on April 13 earlier this year.
On April 14, police found tramadol, a class C drug, in her possession.
Appearing in court, Marks admitted stealing two packets of the controlled drugs each week between October and December last year.
Mr Lee Dacre, prosecuting, said: “The drugs were kept in a box open to the staff, which Marks was able to access to steal a quantity of drugs.
“She only stopped when the hospital changed its procedures and it became more difficult.”
Suspicions were raised after the hospital trust’s chief pharmacist noticed anomalies between the large amounts of tramadol and codeine ordered and the amounts prescribed to patients.
Marks, who has since been suspended, became addicted to the painkillers after attempting to manage chronic pain from varicose veins.
Mr Patrick Williamson, defending, said: “She has been employed for 20 years and she has never had any disciplinary problems in that time. She was a well thought-of member of staff.
“She’s put her employment in jeopardy and she’s lost her good character and her good name.
Marks was given a community order consisting of a rehabilitation requirement for 20 days and 80 hours of unpaid work.
She was also ordered to pay £50 compensation, £85 court costs and a victim surcharge of £85.