HODGES: CIDER DRINKING RADIOGRAPHER SUSPENDED
A radiographer seen downing cider in a hospital car park hwas suspended for 12 months today (weds).
Elizabeth Hodges, whose hearing was held in secret, swigged Strongbow before taking patient X-rays, the Health Professions Council heard.
Hodges also attended work smelling of booze in January and May 2006, between May and August 2008, in August 2009 and also on February 26 last year at an occupational health appointment, the hearing was told.
She was identified on CCTV drinking the cider in a staff car park at the Dudley Group of Hospitals NHS Trust, based in Dudley, West Midlands, on December 28, 2009.
The radiographer, who was employed by the NHS Trust from October 1, 2002 until June 24 last year, also received several medical tests on February 26 last year, which demonstrated a long history of alcohol abuse.
This was inconsistent with Hodges own claims about her alcohol consumption.
Hodges, who did not attend the London hearing and was represented by her father, Paul, a qualified accountant, also deliberately lied to her bosses about the amount of her alcohol she was drinking and/or her health and well being.
The HPC panel found all the charges against Hodges to be proven and deemed her guilty of misconduct.
Her fitness to practice was found to be impaired and she was handed a 12 months suspension order, which will be reviewed in due course.
ENDS
