A woman has been arrested after posing as a doctor and injecting a patient with an unknown substance at Ealing Hospital, West London.
The incident, which took place in April, has raised concerns about hospital security and the potential risks of impersonation within healthcare facilities.
Kreuena Zdrafkova, 20, from Hanwell, was able to gain access to a patient in police custody who was being guarded by two officers.
Dressed in a white coat, stethoscope, medical gloves, and a yellow badge, Zdrafkova posed as a medical professional.
Despite having no medical qualifications, she proceeded to take photographs of the patient’s neck and hand before administering an injection into his mouth, claiming it would calm him down.
Hospital staff and paramedics became suspicious of Zdrafkova’s actions after she was seen speaking with a paramedic and a hospital employee.
CCTV footage also showed her in a hospital blood room, where she was reportedly handling medical equipment, including needles.
Zdrafkova, a mother of two, returned to the hospital three days later with medical paperwork and was subsequently arrested.
Appearing at Isleworth Crown Court, she explained that she was “living out her dream of becoming a doctor” and maintained that she had no malicious intent.
She pleaded guilty to common assault and was sentenced to a community order with 15 days of rehabilitation.
As part of her sentence, Zdrafkova is prohibited from entering NHS facilities, except for attending her own GP appointments, urgent medical visits for her children, or visiting family members in the hospital.
London North West University Healthcare NHS Trust fully supported the police investigation and took immediate action to enhance security protocols.
The trust acknowledged the unusual nature of the incident and reassured the public that measures are being implemented to prevent similar events in the future.
This disturbing case highlights the importance of stringent security procedures to safeguard patients and staff from impersonators within healthcare environments.
