An ambulance
An ambulance REUTERS

An East Midlands paramedic has been suspended after he was found inhaling laughing gas and driving an emergency ambulance.

Nigel Moore, who works as a team leader at the East Midlands Ambulance Service was unsteady on his feet as he jumped out of the driving seat of an ambulance, inhaled laughing gas then got into his car.

He was reported to have slurred speech and appear intoxicated after breathing in Entonox whilst working at Heath Ambulance Station near Nottingham.

Health Professionals Council Conduct and Competence Committee said in a report: “As the Registrant left the ambulance station, in a Vauxhall Vectra East Midlands Ambulance Service (EMAS) Fast Response Vehicle, he was observed holding an Entonox demand valve in his mouth with one hand, and the other on the steering wheel.

As a team leader, he was responsible for managing vehicles and responding to emergency calls.