AN intensive care nurse who was sacked from her job in Saudi Arabia after being caught taking an anaesthetic, died after getting a job at an East Lancashire hospital and taking the same drug, an inquest has heard.

Derbilah Doherty was found dead in her bedroom by her mother. There was an intravenous drip in a vein in the back of her hand through which the drug propofol had been injected in a bid to help her sleep.

An inquest heard that earlier this year Miss Doherty had been dismissed from her job as a nurse in Saudi Arabia after being caught taking the same drug. But her dismissal had not been notified to nursing authorities in the UK and she was able to get a job at Blackburn Infirmary.

Miss Doherty, 30, of Cambridge Drive, Knuzden, was described as a outgoing person with lots of friends. She was planning to set up home with her long time boyfriend, Dean Wilson.

Her brother, Dr Michael Doherty, of Palace Gardens, Burnley, said he heard through another nurse that her contract had been terminated because she had been caught taking propofol and he confronted her about it.

"We discussed at length the issues involved but she kept insisting it was a one off and sleep was not a problem," said Dr Doherty. "She was not depressed and she was not addicted to it. I did not consider it after that because she seemed fine."

The inquest heard that a post mortem examination revealed six puncture marks in Miss Doherty's hands and arms. She got the job on the Intensive Care Unit at Blackburn Infirmary seven days before her death.

Mr Wilson said Miss Doherty worked very awkward shift patterns and had complained of not sleeping well since she returned from Saudi in February.

"She constantly struggled to sleep but she never suggested she had found a solution," said Mr Wilson.

"She was very happy and there is no question of her intending to harm herself."

Nurse Mark Verlander worked with Miss Doherty in Saudi and had recommended her for the job in Blackburn, not knowing why she had come home.

"I can not understand why she was not struck off in the UK after being sent home from Saudi," said Mr Verlander

Consultant anaesthetist at Blackburn Infirmary, Stephen Mousdale said intensive care staff would not have to account for the amount of propofol used. He said patients on the drug would be constantly monitored.

Home office pathologist Dr John Rutherford who carried out a post mortem examination, said no drugs had been identified in the blood but explained that propofol dispersed from the blood in a matter of minutes.

He gave the medical cause of death as propofol toxicity.

Recording a verdict of misadventure, coroner Michael Singleton said: " All the evidence suggests she had some difficulty with sleeping and what she used was a most dangerous method of inducing sleep," said Mr Singleton.

"I am told there is no evidence to suggest widespread use of this drug within the medical profession for inducing sleep although I do understand there is some evidence of its use in Saudi Arabia."

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