The Junta de Andalucía may be taking disciplinary action against a female doctor who was allegedly drunk on duty. The incident occurred in the San Hilario medical centre in Dos Hermanas (Sevilla) on Christmas Day.

The doctor was on 24-hour duty in the emergency department on the 25th. During that afternoon several patients called the Policía Nacional to warn them that a female doctor was apparently well drunk.

One such patient had turned up with a problem with one of her eyes and had been attended to by the said doctor. The doctor had attempted to put anesthesia in her eye, but the patient had refused and left. She commented what had happened to the other people waiting to be seen.

Once alerted, the police came around and carried out a breathalyzer test (of the type used on motorists) on her, which she willingly acceded to. The result was 0.91 milimetres of alcohol per litre of air, which is four times greater than permitted, if you are at the wheel.

The Head of the medical centre was contacted and a substitute found.

(News: Dos Hermanas, Sevilla, Andalucia)