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Scientist 'drunk' in hospital job Scientist 'drunk' in hospital job
(about 2 hours later)
A medical scientist with NHS Grampian has been found guilty of misconduct after he admitted being drunk while working in a hospital.A medical scientist with NHS Grampian has been found guilty of misconduct after he admitted being drunk while working in a hospital.
Colin MacInnes was found slumped against a lift during his nightshift at the haematology department of Aberdeen Royal Infirmary.Colin MacInnes was found slumped against a lift during his nightshift at the haematology department of Aberdeen Royal Infirmary.
The Health Professions Council (HPC) hearing also ruled his fitness to practice was impaired. The Health Professions Council (HPC) hearing also ruled his fitness to practise was impaired.
Mr MacInnes, said he was having a midlife crisis at the time.Mr MacInnes, said he was having a midlife crisis at the time.
The hearing heard how security guards had found Mr MacInnes struggling to speak when they discovered him in the corridor of the hospital's south tower on 22 September last year.The hearing heard how security guards had found Mr MacInnes struggling to speak when they discovered him in the corridor of the hospital's south tower on 22 September last year.
They escorted him to the front door of the hospital so he could get a taxi safely home. However, he turned up two hours later to continue his shift and failed to give an explanation for his behaviour.They escorted him to the front door of the hospital so he could get a taxi safely home. However, he turned up two hours later to continue his shift and failed to give an explanation for his behaviour.
He was later sacked from his job at the city hospital.He was later sacked from his job at the city hospital.
At the hearing in Aberdeen, Mr MacInnes, a biomedical scientist, described his actions as a "disgrace".At the hearing in Aberdeen, Mr MacInnes, a biomedical scientist, described his actions as a "disgrace".
Your irresponsible conduct that night brings the profession into disrepute and was so egregious that your fitness to practice is certainly impaired, Jacki PearceHealth Professions Council Your irresponsible conduct that night brings the profession into disrepute and was so egregious that your fitness to practise is certainly impaired, Jacki PearceHealth Professions Council
He said: "I had consumed alcohol before coming on to nightshift through the afternoon.He said: "I had consumed alcohol before coming on to nightshift through the afternoon.
"On the shift I had some alcohol, not much, but it was the amounts taken in the afternoon that caused me to be in that drunken state for which I apologise."On the shift I had some alcohol, not much, but it was the amounts taken in the afternoon that caused me to be in that drunken state for which I apologise.
"For a while I was drinking at night just to get to sleep, because of my state of mind.""For a while I was drinking at night just to get to sleep, because of my state of mind."
He added: "I was happy enough. It was a very pleasant workplace, my colleagues and friends have been very good. It was maybe a midlife crisis, it wasn't the job."He added: "I was happy enough. It was a very pleasant workplace, my colleagues and friends have been very good. It was maybe a midlife crisis, it wasn't the job."
The scientist, who had worked for NHS Grampian since 1991, said he had enjoyed his work which involved processing samples to be tested for blood counts and diseases such as malaria.The scientist, who had worked for NHS Grampian since 1991, said he had enjoyed his work which involved processing samples to be tested for blood counts and diseases such as malaria.
'Significant delays''Significant delays'
He admitted being in no fit state to work while drunk, leaning against a lift while struggling to stand and talking incoherently when spoken to by colleagues at about 0215 GMT that night.He admitted being in no fit state to work while drunk, leaning against a lift while struggling to stand and talking incoherently when spoken to by colleagues at about 0215 GMT that night.
Mr MacInnes, who could be struck off, also admitted leaving the lab unattended for a lengthy period of time.Mr MacInnes, who could be struck off, also admitted leaving the lab unattended for a lengthy period of time.
HPC chairwoman Jacki Pearce said: "The witnesses that knew you expressed that your behaviour that night was completely out of character.HPC chairwoman Jacki Pearce said: "The witnesses that knew you expressed that your behaviour that night was completely out of character.
"You stated that you were very ashamed and have taken steps to address the issues that led to that incident."You stated that you were very ashamed and have taken steps to address the issues that led to that incident.
"However, you were the only biomedical scientist on nightshift and your behaviour led to the haematology laboratory being unmanned for a number of hours.""However, you were the only biomedical scientist on nightshift and your behaviour led to the haematology laboratory being unmanned for a number of hours."
She said there were "significant delays" with the processing of samples which may have delayed patient diagnosis or treatment. She added that although there had been no evidence of direct patient harm, the potential was there.She said there were "significant delays" with the processing of samples which may have delayed patient diagnosis or treatment. She added that although there had been no evidence of direct patient harm, the potential was there.
"Your irresponsible conduct that night brings the profession into disrepute and was so egregious that your fitness to practice is certainly impaired," she said. "Your irresponsible conduct that night brings the profession into disrepute and was so egregious that your fitness to practise is certainly impaired," she said.
The panel will deliver its decision on sanctions to be imposed on Mr MacInnes on Thursday.The panel will deliver its decision on sanctions to be imposed on Mr MacInnes on Thursday.