Your mail, your news, your views, your way

from the Hull Daily Mail/East Riding Mail Tuesday, August 5

An investigation has been launched after a member of staff was allegedly found collapsed in an operating theatre at an East Yorkshire hospital after apparently abusing drugs.

Two operations had to be cancelled at Castle Hill Hospital in Cottingham after the member of staff was discovered last Monday morning.

It is believed the man had been in the theatre since Saturday and had been inhaling nitrous oxide, used as an anaesthetic and painkiller in hospitals and more commonly known as laughing gas or gas and air.

Another hospital worker, who did not want to be identified for fear of losing their job, contacted the Mail about the incident.

They said: “One of the theatre workers was found collapsed in the theatre last Monday when staff went in to prepare for an operation.

“He had been there since Saturday inhaling the gas and air, which in modern hospitals is plumbed in around the hospital.

“He’s survived because the gas is mixed with oxygen, but obviously he was in a state. Operations had be cancelled.”

The source said they were concerned about security at the hospital and the fact the man had not been suspended.

They said: “His professional registration has not been suspended. He can go on working in any hospital in the country.

“The long-term effects of using this gas are brain damage and paralysis, but this guy could be working in any hospital in the country.

“Also, it was three days before anyone found him, so security is obviously an issue.”

The Mail understands the man is currently not at work and will meet the trust on his return, when he is expected to be suspended.

Heather DuMughn, head of service for critical care and theatres at Hull And East Yorkshire Hospitals NHS Trust, which runs the hospital, said: “The trust can confirm we are currently investigating an allegation of misconduct involving one of our staff members.

“As a precaution two operations were cancelled last week as a result of the alleged incident, however these were both subsequently performed.

“The member of staff concerned has not been at work since last Monday and we will be speaking to them as soon as it is appropriate to do so.”

The Mail understands the operations were cancelled while the theatre was deep-cleaned.

Hull and East Yorkshire Hospitals NHS Trust www.hey.nhs.uk

NHS www.nhs.uk