- Paul Winwright stole drugs from Southampton General Hospital
- Paul’s drug abuse strained his marriage, leading to its breakdown
Paul Winwright, a 40-year-old NHS anaesthetist, was convicted and jailed for attacking his wife and abusing drugs, including stealing Propofol from his hospital. Following his conviction for coercive behavior, child neglect, burglary, and theft by an employee, Winwright was also fined £120 for drug-driving. His actions, which included strangling his wife, threatening her with a knife, and using CCTV cameras to spy on her, were revealed during a court hearing. Winwright’s drug abuse, which began with the sedative Propofol in 2019, escalated after he suffered a mental breakdown during the Covid pandemic, leading to depression and PTSD. Despite receiving treatment, including hospitalization and rehabilitation, his behavior continued to deteriorate, culminating in the breakdown of his marriage.
On a trip to Weymouth with his estranged wife and son, Winwright stole more drugs from his workplace while his son was asleep in the car. He was later arrested after being found unconscious in his bedroom with a vial of Propofol and a needle nearby. The investigation revealed that he had injected himself with six doses of Propofol that night. Winwright’s mobile phone was seized, revealing notes where he admitted to stealing Propofol from the hospital and injecting himself, sometimes while his son was in his care.
At the Medical Practitioners Tribunal Service, Winwright was ordered to be removed from the medical register after the General Medical Council deemed his behavior ‘abhorrent.’ His ex-wife described him as intelligent and well-spoken but noted his competitiveness and increasingly abusive behavior. Winwright did not attend his tribunal hearing, citing fear of being targeted in prison due to his status as a doctor.
The tribunal found that Winwright’s actions, including stealing drugs while on duty and self-administering them, posed a significant risk to patients and colleagues. His behavior was deemed deplorable and had the potential to put patients and colleagues at risk, as well as pose a threat to other road users. Winwright is now subject to a five-year restraining order against his wife.
The hospital where Winwright worked has since reviewed and tightened its protocols around the storage and access to Propofol, acknowledging the impact of his actions on the National Health Service. Hampshire Police Staff Investigator Jade Elkins highlighted Winwright’s disregard for those around him and the significant impact of his theft on the NHS, expressing relief that he would now face the consequences of his actions while receiving the support he needs.
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How Did Winwright’s Actions Impact The NHS And Its Patients?
Winwright’s actions had a significant impact on the NHS and its patients. His theft of powerful drugs, including Propofol, from Southampton General Hospital and subsequent self-administration of these drugs posed a direct threat to both patients and colleagues. His actions were deemed deplorable by fellow practitioners and had the potential to put patients and colleagues at risk, as he was on duty at the material time.
Additionally, by self-administering the drug while in control of a motor vehicle, he posed a real risk to the lives of other road users. This behavior not only compromised the safety and trust within the hospital but also had a broader impact on the NHS, highlighting the need for tighter protocols around the storage and access to such drugs. The hospital trust reviewed and tightened its protocols in response to Winwright’s actions, acknowledging the significant impact on the National Health Service. Hampshire Police Staff Investigator Jade Elkins emphasized the disregard for those around him and the entrusted care, stating that Winwright’s sustained period of theft had an unnecessary and significant impact on the valued National Health Service.
