Cancer nurse banned for stealing medication from Royal Adelaide Hospital
Victoria Shields was working on the oncology ward at the Royal Adelaide Hospital when she took medication for personal use. (ABC News: Che Chorley)
In short:
Registered nurse Victoria Shields has been banned from practising for three months after stealing restricted medication from the Royal Adelaide Hospital.
She was working on the hospital's oncology ward when she took the medication for personal use.
What's next?
Ms Shields was suspended for three months and can return to practise under a strict set of "onerous" conditions, including drug screening.
An oncology nurse who stole heavily-regulated medication from a major Adelaide hospital for personal use has been banned for three months — but allowed to return to practise under a set of strict conditions including frequent drug testing.
The South Australian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (SACAT) found registered nurse Victoria Shields misappropriated medication including hydromorphone, a potent opioid used to treat severe pain, while working at the Royal Adelaide Hospital.
In a judgement published this month, the tribunal reprimanded and banned Ms Shields for three months, and imposed a set of "onerous" conditions which would allow her to return to practise.
According to the ruling, Ms Shields accessed the hospital's automated dispensing cabinet in early 2021 and made false entries to steal hydromorphone and pregabalin, a medication for nerve pain.
The ruling also noted she withdrew 24 medications from the automated dispensing cabinet "for her own use rather than for the purpose of administering them to patients".
"Further, an ampoule of hydromorphone was administered to a patient with integrated waste of 0.9ml which, instead of being disposed of as per hospital policy was taken by the respondent for her own use," the ruling notes.
The South Australian Civil and Administrative Tribunal banned the nurse for three months. (ABC News: Eugene Boisvert)
SA Police had previously charged Ms Shields over the thefts and she pleaded guilty to eight counts of dishonestly taking property without the owner's consent.
A magistrate declined to impose convictions, but placed her on a two-year good behaviour bond.
The tribunal found Ms Shields' behaviour amounted to "professional misconduct" and that she "knew or ought to have known" she was impaired by an opioid addiction.
'Lack' of essential nursing qualities
It also noted she had a health condition, which began in her 20s.
"In addition to hydromorphone, she used other medications like pregabalin, gabapentin and citalopram, along with fentanyl," the ruling noted.
"She did not seek medical or psychological treatment during the relevant period.
"This affected her ability to practise safely and ethically as a nurse.
"This meant that she reflected a lack of qualities essential for the practice of nursing, including the exercise of judgement to uphold the broad principles of public health and safety."
The tribunal imposed "onerous" conditions on the former cancer nurse. (ABC News: Keane Bourke)
'Embarrassed and ashamed'
The tribunal found Ms Shields actions amounted to "professional misconduct" but noted she had since had treatment for her addiction, sought psychological help and had immediately made admissions about her behaviour to her employer and SA Police.
"The respondent submits that she is embarrassed and ashamed of her actions and is genuinely remorseful," the ruling stated.
"She accepts that a period of suspension is appropriate."
The tribunal noted Ms Shields had been "effectively suspended" from working as a nurse since February 2021, and had been subject to "strict undertakings" which effectively left her performing administrative duties.
It noted she was "intending to return to practise" and, with treatment for her medical conditions, had made "significant progress".
"The proposed conditions that the parties propose on her return to practice are onerous and help to minimise the risk of future conduct occurring,"the ruling stated.
Those conditions include not applying to be the only registered health practitioner at any location, completing regular drug screening and restricted access to medications without supervision.