A paramedic from Margate, Jessica Silvester, has been struck off for stealing painkillers from dying patients to fuel her drug addiction. Silvester, along with her fiancée Ruth Lambert, targeted 29 homes during lockdown, taking vital medication from patients receiving end-of-life care. The couple, who both worked for the ambulance service, posed as nurses to con the victims and their families. Silvester’s name has now been removed from the register following a hearing by the Health and Care Professions Tribunal Service. The panel found that she breached professional standards and showed a lack of remorse for her actions. Lambert’s involvement in the crimes is still under examination.
Silvester and Lambert’s disturbing scheme involved trading WhatsApp messages to identify potential victims. They would then pose as nurses to gain access to the medication. Their illicit activities even extended to targeting a deceased woman’s family for morphine just hours after her passing. The couple was sentenced to five years in prison in January last year.
The Health and Care Professions Tribunal Service reached its decision to strike Silvester off the register after examining the evidence against her. The panel noted her lack of insight and failure to take steps to rectify her conviction. They condemned her involvement in a very serious conspiracy and campaign of burglary targeting helpless and vulnerable patients. The panel also expressed concerns about Silvester’s lack of remorse and failure to apologize to the victims and their families.
Lambert’s role in the crimes is still being investigated, with a separate hearing yet to conclude. The court heard how Lambert self-medicated to cope with trauma and physical pain from childhood. She introduced Silvester to opiate addiction by providing her with medication in response to the physical and mental trauma she experienced as a paramedic.
To sustain their addictions, Lambert and Silvester targeted homes during lockdown. Lambert would sometimes ask for a glass of water to gain entry to the victims’ homes, then raid their medicine cabinets. In other instances, she would claim the drugs were expired or simply make a swift getaway with the medication.
One victim, Colin Singleton, revealed how his home was targeted shortly after his wife Linda passed away. Linda had battled terminal cancer, and the theft not only delayed his grieving process but was also a callous and cruel crime. Mr. Singleton described the act as shocking beyond belief. The couple used NHS databases to identify potential targets, discussing their plans over WhatsApp.
Apart from stealing drugs, Silvester also took medical equipment, including a portable ultrasound machine worth £14,000. The tribunal considered all the evidence presented and concluded that striking Silvester from the register was necessary to maintain public confidence in the paramedic profession and uphold proper standards of conduct.
The Health and Care Professions Tribunal Service’s decision to remove Silvester’s name from the register emphasizes the gravity of her actions and the need to prevent further harm to vulnerable patients. As the investigation into Lambert’s role continues, those affected by their callous crimes await justice and the hope that incidents like these will never recur.
In conclusion, the paramedic who stole painkillers from dying patients has been struck off, highlighting the importance of trust and professionalism in the healthcare sector. The consequences of Silvester and Lambert’s actions serve as a reminder of the severe repercussions for those who abuse their positions of trust. It is crucial that the safety and well-being of patients remain the top priority within the healthcare profession.
