A&E Nurse Sacked for Inhaling Laughing Gas at Work

An A&E nurse, Alison O'Neil, was dismissed from her job at George Eliot Hospital in Nuneaton for inhaling Entonox, a prescription-only painkilling mix of nitrous oxide and oxygen, while on duty. She self-administered the gas on four separate occasions, including twice when she was caught by colleagues. The hospital's investigation found that Mrs O'Neil inhaled Entonox to cope with the stresses of nursing. The Nursing & Midwifery Council (NMC) panel suspended her for 12 months, citing that her actions brought the profession into disrepute and posed a risk of repetition in the future.

Key Takeaways:

• Alison O'Neil, an A&E nurse, was sacked for inhaling Entonox, a prescription-only painkilling mix, while on duty at George Eliot Hospital in Nuneaton.
• She self-administered the gas on four separate occasions, including twice when she was caught by colleagues.
• The hospital's investigation found that Mrs O'Neil inhaled Entonox to cope with the stresses of nursing.
• She admitted to using Entonox on multiple occasions, including the night of February 22 and 23, and the night of March 10 and 11.
• The NMC panel suspended her for 12 months, citing that her actions brought the profession into disrepute and posed a risk of repetition in the future.
• Mrs O'Neil stated that she was feeling "really low" and was having trouble coping with the pressures of work, leading her to self-administer the Entonox.
• She expressed regret for her actions and stated that she intended to find a new job outside of nursing due to her inability to cope with the stresses of the profession.

Statistics:

• Four separate occasions in which Mrs. O'Neil inhaled Entonox while on duty.
• Entonox was used on the night shifts of February 22-23, February 21-22, and March 10-11.
• 12-month suspension imposed by the NMC panel.

Sources:

• Coventry Telegraph, original article, no date provided.