An ambulanceman who repeatedly sniffed pain-relieving gas while on duty, leaving a trail of empty cylinders behind him, has been struck off by the Health Professions Council.

Paramedic Ian Clegg, of High Street, Ingleton, “self-administered” Entonox – a mixture of nitrous oxide and oxygen commonly used during child birth – while working for the Yorkshire Ambulance Service NHS Trust at Skipton Ambulance Station.

He was suspended after “shortages” of the gas emerged and empty cylinders were found in 2009. Although he was allowed back to work in January 2010, more empty bottles were found within days, the Health Professions Council (HPC) said in its ruling.

Striking him off, the HPC’s Conduct and Competence Committee said Mr Clegg's behaviour was “totally unacceptable” and could have put patients at risk “because his use of the trust’s supplies was depriving potential patients of this important analgesic”.

The effect of the gas could also have “impaired his responses and his actions” when faced with an emergency, said the committee, which added: “The panel could not be reassured that another similar incident might not occur in the future.”

The panel recognised that Mr Clegg was facing difficulties in his personal life at the time and his expressions of remorse when first caught in 2009.

But, ruling that the maintenance of public confidence in the profession was all-important, the panel referred to his “repeated abuse of Entonox over a considerable period, April 2009 to January 2010” and “the fact that patients were put at risk”.

The ruling continued: “The panel considered that the allegation is of a serious nature and it could find no realistic prospect that repetition will not occur.

“Mr Clegg has been suspended by the Trust in the past and then reinstated but, within two days of returning to work, the panel has found proved that he yet again took Entonox without his employers’ permission and used it at work.

“The panel finds no evidence to suggest that Mr Clegg will be able to resolve his difficulties, including his dishonesty, and so the panel determines that a striking off order is the more appropriate option.

“The panel notes that the allegation involves an abuse of trust as well as dishonesty and so there is no other way to protect the public and/or the public interest.

“Accordingly, the panel has decided to strike his name from the register. In all the circumstances this is a proportionate sanction,” the ruling concluded.