A SENIOR nurse at Warrington Hospital has been suspended after admitting working under the influence of alcohol.
The Nursing and Midwifery Council has been told that Shirley Fitzsimmons, aged 44, drank sherry while on duty and was seen stumbling around a ward.
She was sent home several times because she smelled of alcohol and was given a written warning and was given a three-month break to address her alcohol problem.
But she failed to attend appointments, provide evidence she was going to Alcoholics Anonymous or update the hospital on her progress and was subsequently suspended.
Fitzsimmons, who did not attend the panel hearing in London admitted working under the influence of alcohol, smelling of alcohol, consuming alcohol at work and turning up two hours late for a shift. She also admitted her fitness to practise was impaired.
But after hearing that colleagues regarded her as a “fantastic” nurse, the panel decided to suspend her for nine months to leave the door open if she wanted to return to nursing in the future.
Panel chairman Mary Porter said: “We were impressed with what her former colleagues said, particularly that she was a fantastic nurse who was very competent at her job.”
A SENIOR nurse at Warrington Hospital has been suspended after admitting working under the influence of alcohol.
Nurse suspended for drinking on duty
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Gary Skentelbery
Experienced journalist for more than 40 years. Managing Director of magazine publishing group with three in-house titles and on-line daily newspaper for Warrington. Experienced writer, photographer, PR consultant and media expert having written for local, regional and national newspapers. Specialties: PR, media, social networking, photographer, networking, advertising, sales, media crisis management. Chair of Warrington Healthwatch Director Warrington Chamber of Commerce Patron Tim Parry Johnathan Ball Foundation for Peace. Trustee Warrington Disability Partnership. Former Chairman of Warrington Town FC.
