Nurse accused of working under influence of alcohol

A former nursing director at a Longford old person’s home is alleged to have turned up to work under the influence of alcohol, an inquiry heard today.

Mary Mealy, a former Director of Nursing at Thomond Lodge in Ballymahon Co Longford, faces charges of professional misconduct in relation to events in July and August 2012.

She is facing allegations of professional misconduct and a single allegation that she is unfit to engage in the practice of nursing by reason of a physical or mental disability.

It is alleged that on July 22nd 2012, Ms Mealy turned up to work at the nursing home under the influence of alcohol or some other substance. It is alleged Ms Mealy was addicted to alcohol and unable to engage in the practice of nursing.

The hearing opened today at the headquarters of the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland in Blackrock and is expected to last three days. The inquiry heard Ms Mealy has been registered as a nurse since 1996 and had worked in Dublin, Westmeath and the UK.

Ms Mealy began working as Director of Nursing at Thomond Lodge nursing home in Ballymahon, Co Longford at the start of 2012.

Her employment was terminated by the nursing home on August 24th 2012 as a result of matters that have given rise to the inquiry.

Among the other allegations Ms Mealy is accused of are:

* She failed to administer some or all medication in a timely manner to one or more patients.

* She recorded in her nursing notes that all care had been given when she knew that was not the case.

*She told a cleaner to put a bag that contained patient’s medication into a rubbish bin

Barrister Patrick Leonard for the nursing board said what was unusual about the case is that junior staff who Ms Mealy was supposed to be supervising brought the alleged incidents to the attention of the home.

The inquiry heard evidence from Patricia Ennis who worked as clinical nurse manager with Ms Healy.

Ms Ennis alleged that on July 22nd 2012, Ms Healy told her she had been drinking hot whiskeys the night before and stayed up late because she had visitors.

Ms Ennis said she observed Ms Healy swaying and that she “slurred her words.”

She said Ms Mealy told her she was going to leave work because a family member was ill at home.

“I got a bit of a shock. I thought she had been drinking or was under the influence,” said Ms Ennis.

Barrister Ciaran Craven for Ms Mealy said there was no evidence Ms Healy had been under the influence of alcohol and that the allegation “bordered on the grotesque.”

Barrister Patrick Leonard for the nursing board said it may seek relevant medical records, or that the matter might be dealt with through a consultation between Ms Mealy’s GP and a consultant.

Mr Craven said Ms Healy had worked at the home for eight months and the allegations centred on four days during that period.

The inquiry heard Ms Healy continues to work in old age care for the Health Service Executive.

Ms Ennis also recalled a busy morning on August 10th 2012 when she heard a patient tell another patient he had not received his morning medication.

Ms Ennis said she went into the drugs room later that day and seen a household bin which contained pots of medical supplement and tablets, and asked a senior care worker to witness what she had seen.

Ms Ellis said she and her colleague counted 36 tablets in the bin and was “absolutely horrified” at the discovery.

Mr Craven said there was no evidence that the tablets found in the bin were put there by Ms Mealy, and that she had “put two and two together to make five”.

Ms Ennis was asked by Mr Craven why she didn’t alert a GP about finding the 36 tablets in the bin if it was a patient safety issue.

This is the second fitness to practice inquiry into a nurse to be heard in public. The inquiry continues tomorrow.