Nurse who took drug from hospital struck off

Lauren Brown was found to have repeatedly taken fentanyl from the Slough hospital

A nurse who repeatedly took fentanyl intended for patients from a hospital after doctoring patient records has been struck off.

Lauren Brown worked at Wexham Park Hospital in Slough when she recorded that the drug had been administered to 21 patients when it had not.

Fentanyl is a strong opioid painkiller and is many times stronger than heroin and morphine.

Police investigated Miss Brown's conduct, alleged to have taken place between September 2021 and March 2022, but concluded it would take no further action.

Frimley Health NHS Trust, which runs the hospital, also took no further action after Miss Brown resigned in August 2022.

The Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) panel said it had received no evidence, such as a written reflective piece, that suggested Miss Brown was sorry or even if she wanted to continue working as a nurse.

"Miss Brown's repeated actions and dishonesty were significant departures from the standards expected of a registered nurse and are fundamentally incompatible with her remaining on the register," it said.

It said its decision would "send to the public and profession a clear message about the standard of behaviour required of a registered nurse".