Press Release

UK Health Regulator cautions Glasgow Paramedic

3rd October 2006

A Paramedic from Glasgow has been cautioned by the Health Professions Council. The caution will last for 5 years.

A panel of the Conduct and Competence Committee met on the 27th September 2006 to consider the case of James Sheehan at The Millennium Hotel, Glasgow.

The Panel considered all the evidence contained in the documents of appeal. It noted that on the 10th January, 2005 a complaint had been received  from three members of staff that stated they had seen the registrant lying on a trolley in the ambulance using Entonox with a mouthpiece.  The registrant was interviewed on 13th January 2005 and admitted he had been taking Entonox but he had now stopped doing so. Following this interview, the registrant was suspended from work pending further enquiries and also a report from Occupational Health.  

An Investigation Report dated 15th May 2005 concluded that the registrant’s abuse of Entonox had extended over an 18 month period.

A Disciplinary Hearing was held on the  23rd August 2005. The outcome of that hearing was that the registrant received a final written warning to remain on his record for 18 months. It was also decided that he would be transferred to a different station. The registrant had appealed against that decision and following a further hearing on 30th November 2005, it was decided that the 18 month written warning would expire on 14th July 2006.

The registrant had self-referred to NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde Occupational Health Department and a report dated 27 January 2005 noted that the registrant had admitted inhaling Entonox but concluded that he did not have an addiction. It recommended that he could return to work under supervision but that some restriction should be placed on the number of hours which he worked and also on night shift arrangements. This conclusion was endorsed on review on 20th April 2005.

Chair of the Panel Raymond Pattison said.... "The Panel viewed with concern that all of the reported incidents occurred when the registrant was on duty. The Panel viewed this as a very serious allegation. The Panel has also taken into account that Mr. Sheehan is previously of good character, as confirmed by the testimonials which have been lodged, and that he has acknowledged his misconduct. The Panel has noted the registrant’s remorse as well as his commitment that there will be no recurrence. The Panel also took into account that there had been no suggestion that any patients or colleagues had been put at risk by the registrant’s conduct.

"Consequently the Panel has decided that a caution order for a period of five years would be an appropriate sanction in the circumstances of 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.