South West paramedic struck off over ‘savage breach of trust’

Plymouth: A paramedic named Rainer Edmund Morgan-Kavanaugh has been struck off for stealing thousands of pounds worth of medical gear. He took items from the South Western Ambulance Service between July 2019 and September 2020.

The stolen equipment included an ECG machine, a respiration monitor, and an oxygen canister, totaling around £3,000. Initially, he pleaded not guilty to theft but later changed his plea to guilty. He received a suspended two-year jail sentence and was ordered to do 200 hours of unpaid work.

During a recent tribunal, Morgan-Kavanaugh didn’t show up and sent an email saying he wouldn’t engage with the process. He claimed it wouldn’t change anything in his life and criticized the tribunal system.

The panel noted his actions were a serious breach of trust, especially since he stole during a time when medical equipment was desperately needed. They highlighted that he never apologized or tried to make amends for his actions.

While the tribunal acknowledged some mitigating factors, like his mental health treatment, they ultimately decided that striking him off was necessary to protect the public and maintain trust in the profession. The decision was described as a last resort due to the severity of his actions.