A Fife midwife has been suspended from working in the profession after she was caught inhaling gas and air meant for patients on a labour ward.
Mariedh King was caught using nitrous oxide, also known as laughing gas, in an empty labour room at an unnamed location in 2021.
The senior midwife, who has been registered since 2000, faced an investigation by the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) into her conduct.
A fitness to practise committee found that King’s actions “placed patients at risk of unwarranted harm”.
King no longer works for NHS Fife.
The NMC’s report said: “This will have caused temporary intoxication, which could have impaired her ability to provide safe and effective care for vulnerable patients and their babies.”
Nitrous oxide, which is also known by the nicknames laughing gas or hippie crack, is a colourless gas sold in canisters.
Fife midwife inhaled gas and air on more than one occasion while on duty
Known as gas and air, it is used in hospitals to provide pain relief for women giving birth.
However, it is also a class C substance and banned for personal use.
According to the drug advice organisation Talk to Frank, nitrous oxide can make the user feel relaxed, giggly, anxious and paranoid.
Risks include a loss of consciousness or suffocation.
King admitted that on or around August to September 2021, while on duty, she inhaled nitrous oxide on more than one occasion, and that she was under the influence of the gas more than once.
She also admitted a second charge that her conduct was dishonest, in that she knew the gas did not belong to her and was intended for the use of patients only.
The NMC said the senior charge midwife found King inhaling the gas in an empty labour room and sent her home.
King later divulged during the investigation that she had used it more than once.
The NMC said King acknowledged her misconduct at an early stage.
Other, redacted, “independent evidence” from around the time of the incident was also led in mitigation at the hearing.
However, King also attempted to downplay the severity of her actions during the probe.
She said: “The effect of the gas is very short-lasting and was clear of my system
when I attended patients.
“I accept this could have been different if I was called to a sudden emergency.”
The NMC found King had failed to show a “meaningful level of insight, remorse and remediation” and that she had “deep-seated attitudinal issues”.
Despite its concerns, the watchdog decided against banning her from working in midwifery.
Midwife avoids being struck off
The NMC said: “In the circumstances, it is submitted that whilst Mrs King’s conduct is undoubtedly serious, a striking-off order would be disproportionate as her conduct is potentially remediable and at this stage, not fundamentally incompatible with remaining on the register.”
Instead, the committee suspended King from the register for nine months, with a review hearing to take place to determine if she is fit to return to work.
An NHS Fife spokesperson said: “The number-one priority in our maternity unit is the safety of the women and babies in our care.
“While we are unable to comment on matters relating to individual members of staff, we can confirm the individual in this case is no longer employed by NHS Fife.”
The Courier approached King for comment.
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