MIDWIFE LAURA MacNeil, 24, was sentenced to one year in prison, suspended for two years, at Snaresbrook Crown Court on 5th January. She had previously pleaded guilty to 27 counts of theft of morphine, a Class A drug, at Barkingside Magistrates; Court – as well as admitting possession of Co-Codamol, a Class B drug, and Diazepam, a Class C drug.
MacNeil, of Orchard Road, Burnham-on-Crouch, had been working on the antenatal ward at Queen’s Hospital, Romford, when she took the drugs from her employer, the Barking, Havering and Redbridge University Hospitals NHS Trust. MacNeil made the thefts, which took place between 15th and 18th June last year, by making false entries in the controlled drug register. It is understood that she herself consumed the doses of morphine which she had stolen.
MacNeil was arrested on 14th July and charged on 22nd November. In addition to the suspended prison sentence, MacNeil must also complete 200 community work. The Nursing and Midwiery Council will now review her registration and consider whether she is still fit to practise as a nurse – in East London or elsewhere.
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