Vet nurse suspended for nine months for taking items

A veterinary nurse had been given a nine-month suspension for taking items from her practice without paying for them and for asking a colleague to dishonestly input one of her pet’s clinical details against the records of another one of her pets, which was also registered at the practice.

Paisley-based nurse Laura Benson faced a total of six charges against her which allegedly took place between 14 and 17 June 2021.

The were that she:

Between 1 January 2018 and 11 November 2019 she took a number of bags of dog food and two horse wormer syringes from the practice, located in Paisley, without paying for them.
That between 1 November 2018 and 11 November 2019 she took a number of items of animal food and one or more boxes of horse wormer and paid less than the correct amount for them.
That between 1 October 2018 and 11 November 2019 she arranged for or allowed a friend to receive a discount on items from the practice, without consent from the practice.
That on or around 21 December 2019 she asked a veterinary surgeon colleague to input details of treatment and/or medicine for her cat into the clinical records of another of her animals that was also registered to the practice.
That that in relation to charges 1, 2 and 3, her conduct was dishonest.
That in relation to charge 4, her conduct was dishonest, potentially compromised the integrity of a professional colleague and was potentially detrimental to animal welfare.

When asked about taking items from the practice, Ms Benson explained that she did not intend to take items without paying for them and that she had not realised how much she had taken. She also explained that she had paid back in full what she owed to the practice. T

The Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons Veterinary Nurse Disciplinary Committee found Ms Benson guilty of serious professional misconduct and decided that a nine-month suspension from the Register was the most appropriate sanction and was one that best took the public, and Ms Benson’s, interest into account.

Cerys Jones, speaking on behalf of the Committee, said: “Dishonesty is a serious matter in relation to professional practice and taking no action in response to the serious nature of Ms Benson’s disgraceful conduct would not be proportionate or serve to protect animals and maintain public confidence in the profession.”

Ms Benson has 28 days from being informed of the outcome of the hearing to appeal the Committee’s decision.