Press Release

Operating Department Practitioner struck of HPC Register

22 January 2007

A Panel of the Conduct and Competence Committee met on the 18 January  2007 to consider the case of  Fiona Kuhns at the Health Professions Council in Kennington, South London.

The Panel heard the allegation that Miss Kuhns's  fitness to practise was impaired by reason of her misconduct whilst in the employ of Kettering General Hospital NHS Trust and Northampton General Hospital NHS Trust, in that she stole controlled and scheduled drugs from operating theatres and while at work used the drugs she stole.  It was also alleged that she lied to colleagues and management concerning her abuse of drugs and forged the signature of a doctor to obtain a controlled drug.

The evidence of 23 witnesses was relied upon to prove this case. The Panel found that on five days between 8 January 2004 and 16 June 2004 while employed at Kettering General Hospital Miss Kuhns stole controlled or scheduled drugs. Further, there was compelling evidence that on all of the occasions with the exception of 10 May 2004 that she used the stolen drugs while on duty.

Following the termination of her employment at Kettering General Hospital Miss Kuhns  was employed on a locum agency basis at Northampton General Hospital. On 12 August 2005, her second day at that hospital, morphine went missing in an operating theatre in which she was working, Miss Kuhns collapsed, was diagnosed as having overdosed, and was given appropriate treatment.  It was later found that Mrs Kuhns had forged the signature of a doctor to justify the removal of morphine.

Chair of the Panel Ian Griffins said....."This is a particularly serious case.  Not only has Miss Kuhns put the health of patients at risk, she has also seriously compromised her own safety.  Additionally her actions have put work colleagues under suspicion. In the interest of protecting the public the Panel finds that a striking off order is most appropriate in this case."

The Health Professions Council is a UK wide health regulator set up to protect the public. It sets standards for thirteen health professions. The HPC only registers people who meet its standards for their professional skills, behaviour and health, and will take action against people who do not.