Nurse struck off for misconduct

The council removed Mr Duncan to protect the public

A mental health nurse from Wiltshire has been struck off the national register and can no longer practise in the UK.

James Bennie Vincent Duncan, 52, was found guilty of five charges of misconduct at a hearing in Bristol on Tuesday.

The hearing heard that Mr Duncan had undertaken shifts whilst smelling of alcohol, had slept on duty and had failed to take appropriate action when informed that a patient had fallen.

The Nursing and Midwifery Council's (NMC) Professional Conduct Committee said the offences had taken place between May 2000 and February 2002.

'Reckless behaviour'

Liz McAnulty, the NMC's director of professional conduct, said Mr Duncan had been removed from the register to protect the public.

She said: "Mr Duncan has behaved recklessly whilst on duty and without regard for the care and safety of patients."

The committee also acknowledged that Mr Duncan had been convicted for driving a motor vehicle whilst over the limit in May 2000.

Mr Duncan was employed at the Blenheim House Residential and Nursing home in Bristol in June 2000, where three of the offences occurred.

He also undertook a shift whilst smelling of alcohol as a nurse at the Old Parsonage Nursing Home in February 2002.

The hearing cleared Mr Duncan of a sixth charge of misconduct relating to a charge of dishonesty in not declaring convictions older than 10 years to an employer.