Patsy Swift, a 38-year-old former deputy manager at Hillbury Care Home in Wrexham, North Wales, has been removed from the care register after admitting to stealing prescription medication intended for elderly residents with dementia. The offenses occurred over a two-month period last year.
Swift narrowly avoided jail in March after pleading guilty to theft of various painkillers and sleeping pills, including Pizotifen, Omeprazole, Naproxen, Zopiclone, and Temazepam. She also admitted to two counts of fraud by false representation related to the request and collection of Oramorph, a brand of strong morphine-based painkiller.
A general practitioner raised concerns in early 2025 after noticing discrepancies in prescribed medication at the care home. An initial police review did not lead to charges, but the GP contacted home management again five months later, leading to the discovery that Swift had been collecting the majority of the drugs. The home caters to approximately 60 residents with dementia.
During the investigation, it was revealed that Swift had requested morphine twice for one resident, falsely claiming the first batch smelled off. The second request was denied. In February 2025, the GP again raised concerns when the home reported running out of morphine for a resident who had missed two doses. CCTV footage showed Swift collecting the resident's prescription, and a subsequent check of the home's controlled drugs register uncovered further discrepancies.
Swift, a single mother of two, was arrested and suspended from her role. At the time of her arrest, she claimed to have done nothing wrong. A source indicated that a GP's receptionist had observed an increase in requests for extra medication and reports of lost prescriptions from the care home, alongside pharmacy reports of undelivered morphine. Checks of the home's records and stock levels did not align with dispensed amounts.
Following a fitness to practise panel ruling by Social Care Wales, Swift has been struck off the caring register. Her legal representative stated that Swift had shown remorse and was unlikely to re-offend, noting that she would be unable to work with vulnerable adults again due to her conviction. Swift is currently living on benefits.
Deputy District Judge Lee Davies had previously sentenced Swift to a 24-week jail term, suspended for one year, with rehabilitation days and 12 months of mental health treatment. The judge stated that he had spared her jail only because she was the sole carer for her children, emphasizing the severity of the offenses. He remarked that the true harm was to the patients deprived of their medication, not the financial loss.