A nurse has been removed from her position after allegedly placing a hospice patient at risk by betting on the patient’s death on Christmas Day. Naomi Butcher, aged 60, committed serious medical errors at St Peter and St James Hospice in Lewes, East Sussex. Instead of administering the prescribed 5mg of Midazolam, she mistakenly gave 50mg to a terminally ill patient, endangering their life.
Furthermore, Butcher failed to report this error and falsely claimed the correct dosage had been administered, as confirmed by the Nursing and Midwifery Council Fitness to Practise Committee. She also callously denied a family’s request to visit their deceased loved one, making derogatory remarks about the family’s practices.
Following a hearing by the Fitness to Practise Committee, Butcher was struck off the nursing register due to a consistent pattern of misconduct that posed unwarranted harm to vulnerable patients. The committee found her actions discriminatory and a risk to patient well-being.
A disturbing report revealed that Butcher made inappropriate bets with colleagues on patients’ deaths, including one instance where she predicted a patient would die on Christmas Day. The panel deemed her behavior degrading and potentially distressing to patients and their families.
The report detailed multiple instances of medication errors, including incorrect dosages and missed doses. Butcher’s actions, such as using the wrong syringe and administering the wrong medication, led to a finding that her fitness to practice was impaired due to misconduct.
Despite denying some allegations, Butcher’s refusal to engage in the trial indicated acknowledgment of the presented evidence. Witness statements from healthcare professionals highlighted Butcher’s inappropriate conduct and refusal to allow families to visit their loved ones.
St Peter and St James Hospice reported concerns about Butcher to the Nursing and Midwifery Council, resulting in her removal from the register. The hospice’s actions underscore the commitment to patient safety and quality care.