����ý

A nurse who stole epidural medicine meant for pregnant women in her care at a Fife hospital has been sentenced to 250 hours of community service.

Caroline Heap, 41, was working at the Victoria Hospital in Kirkcaldy.

Heap, from Glenrothes, used syringes to withdraw medicine from sealed intravenous bags for her own use between 17 October and 7 November 2016.

She was charged with culpable and reckless conduct and pled guilty at Kirkcaldy Sheriff Court on 18 April.

Det Insp Graeme Dursley, of Police Scotland, said: "Heap risked the contamination of sterile medicine and her actions were completely inexcusable.

"I want to extend my sincere appreciation to staff at the Victoria Hospital for their vigilance in detecting and reporting this, as well as NHS Fife for their support."

Helen Wright, director of nursing at NHS Fife, said: "This was a serious breach of the professional standards we expect of our staff.

"Patient safety is of the utmost importance and we are constantly reviewing our systems and processes to ensure patients receive safe care of the highest quality.

"Since this incident came to light we have subjected existing procedures around controlled drugs to further review, taking the opportunity to tighten up protocols."