Nurse Lost Her Job After Stealing Two Headache Pills At Hospital Where She Worked

After being discovered stealing two pills from a hospital pharmacy to cure her headaches while working, an NHS nurse lost her job.

When Francesca Morgan, 32, felt ill in June 2021 while working at Arrowe Park Hospital near Liverpool, she took a co-codamol pill and, on another occasion, a paracetamol tablet.

According to an investigation, she took the medications under the "assumption" that she was authorized to do so, without first receiving the required written permission.

Morgan received a 12-month conditional release at Wirral Magistrates' Court yesterday after entering a plea of guilty to two employee theft offenses.

Health officials discovered that prescription medication had vanished between June 6 and June 18 of last year, and police started looking into the crimes.

According to the court record, investigators set up a hidden camera that saw Morgan, of Woolton, helping herself to the drugs.

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.'

Morgan was reportedly spotted swallowing the tablets, according to the prosecution. She emphasized that the nurse was not held accountable for the theft of all the medications.

'We are not accusing her of the entire theft,' the prosecutor said.

'These are two limited incidents. She believed that she had implied consent to taking the medication. There was a lack of previous convictions but she has now lost her good character.'

As a mitigating factor, defense lawyer Laura Flynn informed the court that Morgan had lost her career and work as a result of the thefts. She moved in with her grandmother after losing her own house as well.

The attorney claimed that her client had been experiencing headaches throughout her shift and felt it was okay to take the prescription because other nurses were also doing so.

Morgan admitted to two counts of employee theft. She was given a 12-month conditional discharge by the magistrates, which means she won't go to jail unless she commits another crime within that time frame. Additionally, she was ordered to pay a victim surcharge and costs of $173.

‘You have already suffered the loss of your job and your home,' Chairman Peter Mawdsley said. 'In light of that, a conditional discharge is appropriate.'