Later that morning when questioned about the incident by a senior nurse he said he had been “desperate for sleep” and had been working long hours.
He accepted what he had done and expressed regret for his “ridiculous decision” to turn on the anaesthetic gas.
His conduct was referred to the HCPC, but he continued to work at the hospital.
Giving evidence to the panel, Mr Butler explained he had been working up to 70 hours a week, taking on agency work and occasional work in a bar as well as his contracted hours.
He acknowledged his behaviour had been “stupid and selfish” and had put patients, colleagues and the public at risk and said he realised by incapacitating himself he could have left his team under-staffed.
Since, the incident he said he no longer over-stretched himself and had improved his work-life balance.
The panel accepted it was an “isolated incident” and there was a “low likelihood” he would repeat such misconduct in the future.
The panel said the misconduct did not involve his clinical practice, which “appears to be of a high standard” and it was in the public interest he should continue to practice without restriction.
A caution order is the lowest level of sanction for health professionals. It appears on the HCPC Register but does not restrict the person’s ability to practice.