A state registered nurse supplied Temazepam prescribed for another patient to an elderly woman in a nursing home.
Patricia Connolly, 56, of Back Westgate, Hornsea admitted to supplying Temazepam to 93-year-old Bertha Hutchinson during her employment as a nurse at Northfield Manor Nursing Home in Driffield.
The offence took place in January this year.
On Wednesday 4 September at Bridlington Magistrates’ Court it was heard Connolly is a state registered nurse, and has previously worked as a psychiatric nurse.
Prosecution solicitor David Ward said: “There was an elderly lady who was 93-years-old and she appears to have been prescribed some extra Temazepam which was actually for another patient. That idea was that this would help her to sleep as she was having problems sleeping, walking round at night.
“She was reported by a cleaner as being the only nurse that didn’t follow the normal procedure. Mrs Connolly would administer the drugs without anybody else present and would ask the cleaner who was also a qualified as an assistant to sign the paper work.
“Subsequently this was reported to the doctor and saying perhaps this wasn’t helping with her problem. The extra medication she was on was affecting her balance, so it may have been counter-productive.
“The defendant was interviewed and made full admissions. It is a willful administration of a prescribed drug.
“It seems quite a sad case.”
Temazepam is a controlled drug of Class C, which is used as short-term treatment for insomnia.
Lawrence Watts appeared in mitigation for Connolly, and said: “She has an exemplary record which I think, in fact, is an understatement.
“Mrs Connolly appears to have made the decision that on three separate occasions she has administered the Temazepam medication which was intended for another patient. She has administered this in good faith and for the benefit of the patient.
“Mrs Hutchinson is unsteady on her feet and that is due to her age and illness. She puts herself in danger by walking around with her eyes shut with perhaps not all of her concentration put on where she is going. She has been admitted to the falls clinic on a number of occasions.”
He said Connolly had the “best of intentions” and “thought it appropriate” to give Mrs Hutchinson the medication.
The court heard Connolly has no previous convictions.
Linda Hall was chair of the bench, and sent the matter to Hull Crown Court for sentence. Connolly is set to appear at Crown court on Wednesday 2 October, and was granted unconditional bail.
The offence took place in January this year.
On Wednesday 4 September at Bridlington Magistrates’ Court it was heard Connolly is a state registered nurse, and has previously worked as a psychiatric nurse.
Prosecution solicitor David Ward said: “There was an elderly lady who was 93-years-old and she appears to have been prescribed some extra Temazepam which was actually for another patient. That idea was that this would help her to sleep as she was having problems sleeping, walking round at night.
“She was reported by a cleaner as being the only nurse that didn’t follow the normal procedure. Mrs Connolly would administer the drugs without anybody else present and would ask the cleaner who was also a qualified as an assistant to sign the paper work.
“Subsequently this was reported to the doctor and saying perhaps this wasn’t helping with her problem. The extra medication she was on was affecting her balance, so it may have been counter-productive.
“The defendant was interviewed and made full admissions. It is a willful administration of a prescribed drug.
“It seems quite a sad case.”
Temazepam is a controlled drug of Class C, which is used as short-term treatment for insomnia.
Lawrence Watts appeared in mitigation for Connolly, and said: “She has an exemplary record which I think, in fact, is an understatement.
“Mrs Connolly appears to have made the decision that on three separate occasions she has administered the Temazepam medication which was intended for another patient. She has administered this in good faith and for the benefit of the patient.
“Mrs Hutchinson is unsteady on her feet and that is due to her age and illness. She puts herself in danger by walking around with her eyes shut with perhaps not all of her concentration put on where she is going. She has been admitted to the falls clinic on a number of occasions.”
He said Connolly had the “best of intentions” and “thought it appropriate” to give Mrs Hutchinson the medication.
The court heard Connolly has no previous convictions.
Linda Hall was chair of the bench, and sent the matter to Hull Crown Court for sentence. Connolly is set to appear at Crown court on Wednesday 2 October, and was granted unconditional bail.
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