Pharmacist suspended after turning up to work in flip flops after boozy Bank Holiday weekend

Pharmacist suspended after turning up to work in flip flops after boozy Bank Holiday weekend Emma Juggins was seen struggling to hand out a prescription to an elderly customer - Bookmark - CommentsGo to comments Become an Independent member to bookmark this article Already a member? Log in An experienced Boots pharmacist who turned up to work drunk after going out drinking over the Bank Holiday weekend has been suspended. Emma Juggins arrived at work in her first week at a new pharmacy wearing a pair of flip flops and the same clothes she had worn the day before. 'Dishevelled' Juggins, who was seen stumbling and slurring her words, had to be taken away by a colleague after she was seen struggling to hand out a prescription to an elderly patient. The incident happened two years after she had been convicted of drink driving when she was found behind the wheel whilst over three times the legal limit. She has now appeared before a misconduct panel who suspended her for nine months for the 'actual or potential risk to patients and the public'. Juggins first registered as a pharmacist in 2003 but in July 2022 she drove her Red Toyota Yaris on Old Worcester Road in Hartlebury, Worcs, and was found with 121 microgrammes of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath - over three times the 35 microgrammes limit. Juggins was convicted at Worcester Magistrates' Court of driving whilst over the alcohol limit and was disqualified from driving for 30 months - but this was reduced to 30 weeks after she completed a drink-drive rehabilitation course. She was also ordered to pay a victim surcharge and prosecution costs. On August 25, 2024, whilst working as a locum and responsible pharmacist at Boots Pharmacy in Cheltenham, Gloucs, she turned up to work whilst still drunk from the night before. She had only began working at the branch on August 20. Concerns were raised by colleagues about her appearance and she subsequently left the pharmacy and an investigation began. A colleague said that when he saw Juggins her presentation 'immediately caused him concern' and he realised 'something was not quite right'. He said Juggins 'appeared to be stumbling, her speech was slurred, and she seemed unsteady on her feet'. She was wearing the same clothes she had worn on the previous day and was wearing flip flops. She was also seen struggling to hand out a prescription to an elderly customer and had an 'uncharacteristically dry and abrupt' demeanour. She was taken away by a colleague and told him that she had 'never taken a drug in her life' but when asked about alcohol she said 'well it was a bank holiday'. As she left the room she was seen to stumble and had a 'dishevelled appearance'. An investigation began into the conduct as there had been three complaints from customers and the case was taken to a General Pharmaceutical Council hearing. She said that she felt under pressure due to the workload and staffing arrangements at the pharmacy but claimed she was 'unhappy' about the allegation that she was drunk. She accepted that she had been drinking the night before and had been unable to secure accommodation and so her father had driven her to work. She said she had not eaten breakfast and replied 'I hope not' when asked if she smelt of alcohol. Joanna Bower, chairing the General Pharmaceutical Council hearing said: "The Committee considered that [Juggins] failed to take appropriate responsibility for her actions, to adequately address the risks arising from her alcohol use andreceiving a conviction for drink-driving, and to demonstrate the leadership expected of her. "The Committee determined that the attending work whilst intoxicated was particularly serious given [Juggins'] role as Responsible Pharmacist and the patient care responsibilities associated with that role. "The Committee considered that patients and members of the public were entitled to expect that a Responsible Pharmacist should be in control of a pharmacy and responsible for the safe supply of medicines. "The Committee determined that there was an actual or potential risk to patients and the public. "The Committee was concerned that [Juggins] had not fully recognised the significance of her previous drink-driving conviction. "The Committee considered that [Juggins'] misconduct was serious and involved attending work whilst intoxicated whilst acting as the Responsible Pharmacist." Join our commenting forum Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies Comments