Saline nurse ban ‘may be lifted’

14 September 2011 Last updated at 11:55 ET

Rebecca Leighton was in prison for six weeks before charges were dropped

A nurse investigated over contaminated saline at a Greater Manchester hospital has been told a suspension that stops her working as a nurse could be lifted.

Rebecca Leighton, 27, was accused of tampering with medical products at Stepping Hill Hospital in Stockport.

A panel at the Nursing and Midwifery Council heard Miss Leighton had admitted stealing drugs, including a painkiller, from the hospital.

She was told her ban would be lifted if the hospital agreed to certain terms.

Panel chairman, Dr John Unsworth, said they would be minded to impose conditions of practice on her.

These are likely to include restrictions which prevent Miss Leighton carrying keys to the hospital’s drug store, the panel said.

She could also be subject to geographical limitations which mean she is only able to work within a designated area.

Ms Leighton smiled at her lawyer as the panel set out its decision.

Stolen drugs

The council earlier heard she had admitted taking an antibiotic, ibuprofen and a prescription-only painkiller.

Miss Leighton’s lawyers said it would be “disproportionate” to suspend her and she should be reinstated.

Salim Hafejee, outlining the case against Miss Leighton, earlier told the hearing that the nurse should not be allowed to return to work despite the charges being dropped.

He claimed that the police case against her was only “in abeyance” and that the broader investigation into contaminated saline drips at Stepping Hill was ongoing.

It was also alleged that Miss Leighton had stolen drugs including an opiate-based painkiller, which raised concerns about her fitness to practise.

Mr Hafejee told the panel it was likely Miss Leighton had taken the pills herself, casting doubt on her professional ability.

He said: “The reasonable inference at this stage would be that they were taken for her own use.”

Mr Hafejee compared the situation to the case of GP Harold Shipman, who was convicted in 2000 of murdering 15 patients and was found to have used stolen drugs.

He said: “One hesitates to bandy around the name of [Harold] Shipman too regularly but will be aware of the impact of professional dependency on drugs and the perception that it creates.”

Greater Manchester Police is still investigating the deaths of three patients at Stepping Hill Hospital

Mr Hafejee added: “The theft of anything, including drugs, from a hospital setting where a nurse is in a position of trust, in essence, is a breach-of-trust crime and is a serious matter in itself, irrespective of any other aggravating background.”

Miss Leighton’s lawyer Paul Rooney said it would have a “disproportionate and devastating” effect on her professional reputation and financial situation to suspend her from nursing on the allegation of theft.

He added: “She has had her liberty restored and she expects to be afforded the opportunity to return to the profession she loves and has worked hard to be part of.”

‘Trial by media’

Mr Rooney told the panel it was a “leap too far” to state Miss Leighton had taken drugs from the hospital for her personal use.

He added that fresh interest in her case could result in “trial by media” and asked the panel to lift her ban, which sees her suspended without pay.

He also cited a letter from her GP which said she had no health problems and was fit to work.

Miss Leighton was supported at the hearing by her fiance Tim Papworth and parents David and Lynda.

The drugs were found at her home in Stockport by police. Of the 30 prescription-only tramadol pills, only 18 remained.

Greater Manchester Police is still investigating the deaths of three patients at Stepping Hill Hospital, linked to contaminated saline.

They believe insulin was administered unlawfully to patients Alfred Weaver, Arnold Lancaster and Tracey Arden.

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