Hospice Nurse Struck Off for Christmas Death Bet

Hospice nurse Naomi Butcher was struck off the nursing register this week following a Fitness to Practise Committee hearing. The committee found she had a "pattern of misconduct over a period of time," causing "unwarranted risk of harm to vulnerable patients" and engaging in "discriminatory behaviour."

Among the serious allegations, Butcher reportedly made a bet with colleagues that a terminally ill patient would die on Christmas Day. The panel deemed this remark "degrading" and capable of causing "emotional and psychological distress."

Further misconduct included significant medication errors. On one occasion, Butcher administered 50mg of Midazolam instead of the prescribed 5mg, putting a patient "at risk of death" without reporting the mistake. She also failed to administer prescribed doses of Paracetamol and Oxycodone to other patients.

Butcher also faced accusations of refusing a family access to see their deceased relative, allegedly stating they "burn their bodies in caravans when they die." While she denied this specific claim, the committee found it proven. Her overall fitness to practice was deemed impaired by her misconduct.