Nurse who placed a bet with colleagues that a patient would die on Christmas Day is struck off

A hospice nurse has been struck off after a misconduct panel found serious professional failings, including inappropriate comments about patients and medication errors.

Naomi Butcher, 60, was removed from the nursing register following a hearing by the Nursing and Midwifery Council over her conduct while working at St Peter and St James Hospice between 2023 and 2024.

The panel heard that in December 2023, she made an inappropriate remark about a terminally ill patient, saying words to the effect of, “I make a bet with all of you that he will die on Christmas Day.” The comment was cited as part of a pattern of unprofessional behaviour.

In another incident, she refused a family’s request to visit the hospice sanctuary after their relative had died, making comments about the family that were described by the panel as discriminatory, degrading and unacceptable.

The hearing also found serious clinical failings. Butcher administered a 50mg dose of Midazolam to a patient over a 24-hour period, ten times the correct dosage, and incorrectly recorded that the amount given was accurate, placing the patient at risk.

The panel heard there were multiple other instances where medication was administered incorrectly or required checks were not carried out. Butcher admitted to some of the comments but denied others. Evidence from a colleague was accepted by the panel after she failed to attend the hearing.

The Nursing and Midwifery Council said she had shown “limited insight” into her actions and failed to demonstrate an understanding of their impact on patients and families. It concluded there was a continuing risk of repetition.

As a result, she has been struck off the register, a decision that will take effect after the standard 28-day appeal period.