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Drunk Nurse's Shift Ends in Suspension
12 Sep
Summary
- Nurse was severely intoxicated during her shift.
- Residents were placed at significant risk of harm.
- She has been suspended for 12 months following a tribunal.
Karen Makinson, a nurse at Church House Nursing Home, has been suspended for 12 months after attending a shift while severely intoxicated. On June 4, 2024, Makinson was the sole nurse on duty, caring for residents with conditions such as dementia and those receiving end-of-life care. Her colleagues observed her to be unsteady on her feet, laughing inappropriately, and struggling with mobility, indicating her impaired state.
Home manager Robert Hammond intervened, confiscating Makinson's car keys to prevent her from driving. A senior carer assisted her in booking a taxi, as Makinson was unable to operate her phone due to her intoxication. Despite her claims of having only two glasses of wine hours earlier and unfamiliarity with a taxi app, a tribunal found her account implausible.
The Nursing and Midwifery Council tribunal concluded that Makinson's actions constituted serious misconduct, falling far below expected standards. Her fitness to practise was deemed impaired due to her extreme intoxication, which adversely affected her coordination, judgment, and behaviour, placing residents at significant risk. Consequently, she was suspended and later dismissed on June 14, 2024.
