Naomi Butcher

A hospice nurse who chillingly “bet” on a patient dying on Christmas Day has been struck off in disgrace. Naomi Butcher, 60, is now banned from practising after a string of shocking failures and offensive remarks came to light. The case has sent shockwaves through the care sector, raising serious questions about patient safety and dignity.

The former care home manager, from Burgess Hill, West Sussex, was working at St Peter and St James Hospice in Lewes when the incidents unfolded. The hospice prides itself on “compassionate care” — but what followed painted a very different picture. In December 2023, Butcher stunned colleagues by declaring: “I make a bet with all of you that he will die on Christmas Day.”

It didn’t stop there. Just months later, in March 2024, she blocked a grieving traveller family from seeing their loved one after death. Her reasoning sparked outrage — she claimed they would “stay for hours” and said “20 of them” would turn up.

Even more shocking were the remarks she made behind the scenes. Butcher told colleagues the traveller community “burn their bodies in caravans when they die.” A tribunal later ruled the comments discriminatory, degrading, and completely unacceptable.

The consequences for the family were severe. The panel found her actions would have caused “emotional and psychological distress” at an already devastating time. Witness Kelly Viner told the hearing she had never seen a family refused access before, describing the moment the decision was made in the nurses’ office.

But concerns went far beyond words. On the very same day as the family incident, Butcher put a patient at risk of death. She administered 50mg of Midazolam over 24 hours — ten times the intended 5mg dose — then falsely recorded it as correct.

The errors kept mounting. The day before, she gave a patient oxycodone instead of morphine sulphate. Other patients were left in pain after missed or incorrect doses, while controlled drugs were not properly logged.

Experts were blunt. The tribunal described her conduct as an “extremely serious breach” that would be seen as “deplorable” by other nurses. Nursing and Midwifery Council investigators found her fitness to practise was impaired.

Despite admitting most allegations, Butcher denied making the caravan comment — but failed to attend the hearing to contest it. Evidence from colleagues ultimately sealed her fate.

The hospice had already raised concerns in March 2024, but Butcher resigned days later and went on sick leave before discussions could take place. The case was formally referred to regulators on April 4.

Now out of frontline care, Butcher says she is disabled and claims she tried to remove herself from the register. “They refused because they wanted to strike me off,” she said, adding that personal issues led to mistakes.

The clock is now ticking. She will officially be struck off after a 28-day appeal period — ending a career overshadowed by one of the most disturbing misconduct cases in recent memory.

Nurse struck off after betting when patient would die

She was right about the pikies though.