Nurse admits to stealing painkillers

AN aged care nurse who had been diagnosed with cancer has been suspended from practice after she stole dozens of painkillers from nursing homes to manage her personal pain.

In its newly published decision, the Tasmanian Civil and Administrative Tribunal said Melissa How had been diagnosed with cancer, causing her lower back pain.

However, she had been prescribed only Endone, which “did not allow her to function” and needed other medication to get rid of the pain.

According to the decision, the 49-year-old took 43 Panamax tablets, 10 Tramadol tablets, 20 Oxazepam tablets and 33 Panadeine Forte tablets from two residential aged care facilities she worked at during 2020.

Ms How also intentionally removed a micro-SD memory card from a hidden camera in the medication room at one of the facilities where she worked.

She admitted she had taken them for her personal consumption and without a prescription.

Ms How – who was dismissed from her employment – also pleaded guilty to criminal charges regarding the thefts, and was sentenced in the Magistrates Court.

TASCAT deputy president Alison Clues said Ms How’s behaviour had been inconsistent with the standards expected of her profession.

Ms How told the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia she had been awaiting surgery and treatment, suffering with back pain and abdominal cramping – but because of the Covid pandemic, found it hard to get to a doctor. She said while at work, she struggled to deal with the pain and found it hard to get through an eight-hour shift.

Ms Clues said there was no evidence any patient had suffered harm as a result of Ms How’s actions, noting the nurse was “sincerely sorry and remorseful for what she had done”.

TASCAT reprimanded Ms How, finding her guilty of professional misconduct and suspending her registration until September 10.