Care workers gave out the wrong medication in Herefordshire home (From Hereford Times)

Care workers gave out the wrong medication in Herefordshire home

1:00pm Friday 3rd July 2009 in

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TWO care workers who deliberately gave a patient the wrong drugs at a Herefordshire home for adults with learning disabilities have escaped jail.

Julia Bright and June Furmage gave Dawn Saunders tablets meant for another patient while working at Fairfield House Residential Home in Bleathwood, near Ludlow.

Birmingham Crown Court was told the incident was not reported to senior staff for almost a week after the act, on March 20 last year.

Judge Amjad Nawaz described it an act of foolishness during “a moment of madness”.

Grandmother Bright, aged 52, and Furmage, 48, were in charge of giving residents at the home various prescribed drugs each morning.

Prosecutor Andrew Tucker said one worker, in this case Bright, would administer the drugs, while a second person, Furmage, would verify what had taken place for the home’s records.

On this occasion, said Mr Tucker, another resident, Neil Wright, had been given Ms Saunders’ medication by mistake.

He said they panicked and then decided to give Mr Wright’s tablets to Ms Saunders.

The court heard how Ms Saunders took fewer pills than her fellow resident and the shortfall was made up with primrose oil tablets.

Ms Saunders suffered an epileptic fit later that day but these were a common occurrence and not because of the wrong medication, the court was told. Neither resident suffered any lasting effects.

Furmage was so worried by what had happened that she confided in another Fairfield House employee immediately.

Almost a week later, Bright confessed to the same staff member and the pair were suspended. They have since lost their jobs.

Bright, of Kyreside, Tenbury Wells, admitted ill-treating Dawn Saunders by deliberately administering the incorrect medication.

Furmage, of Stanbrook Road, Tenbury Wells, admitted neglecting Ms Saunders by failing to seek medical advice.

Kannan Siva, for Bright, said his client panicked.

He said she had other things on her mind that morning, particularly a grandson who was unwell, but added that this didn’t excuse her actions. Mr Siva said she is full of regret and remorse.

David Swinnerton, for Furmage, said she cared deeply for the residents and has learned a hard lesson.

Judge Nawaz said the decision was made “out of panic during a moment of madness”.

He said residents placed their lives in the trust of the pair. They were both handed six month prison terms, suspended for 18 months, and must carry out 180 hours each of unpaid community work.