Paramedic who exposed teenager to 'risk of harm' is struck off
A paramedic who exposed a teenager to an 'unwarranted risk of harm' by failing to carry appropriate equipment has been struck off the register of health professionals.
Marcus Galligan, employed by West Midlands Ambulance Service as an Emergency Care Practitioner (ECP), was called out to a YMCA to treat the 17-year-old girl who was complaining of breathing difficulties.
But he failed to take oxygen, any means of delivering oxygen or any respirator drugs. Mr Galligan took only a defibrillator and a thermometer into the premises of the YMCA to treat the patient.
A Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) Conduct and Competence Committee also found he did not adequately assess the patient, despite recording that he had done so.
Mr Galligan, who attended the hearing and was represented, also assumed the girl was drunk based on an inadequate assessment, the hearing heard.
The panel concluded his actions amounted to misconduct and he was struck off the HCPC register.
Panel chair, Sarah Baalham, said: "The panel concluded that Mr Gilligan's acts and omissions were unprofessional and by failing to follow the proper procedures, based on Service User A's presentation, he exposed her to an unwarranted risk of harm.
"Ensuring the availability of appropriate equipment and conducting primary and secondary surveys are fundamental to the role of a paramedic."
The hearing was told Mr Galligan joined West Midlands Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust in 2002.
A spokesperson said Mr Galligan was no longer employed by the trust.
A statement added: "Mr Galligan resigned prior to the completion of the investigation so the Trust referred the case to the HCPC."
