Paramedic is struck off for silly giggle

A paramedic has been struck off after he was seen lying down in the back of an ambulance inhaling laughing gas.

It was alleged Richard Sanders, 54, who was based in Llantwit Major with the Wales Ambulance Service NHS Trust, misused Entonox while on duty.

The analgesic, a mixture of nitrous oxide and oxygen, is normally used for pregnant women to ease pain through labour.

After being approached by colleagues who witnessed him self-administering the drug, his speech was slurred and he could not walk properly.

The panel found Mr Sanders’ behaviour to have put patients at risk and that by taking no further action, or giving him a caution, would have been inappropriate given the circumstances.