A HOSPITAL worker who performed X-rays on patients on Christmas Day while drunk has been suspended from practice.

Radiographer John Baker turned up for work at the Royal Hampshire County Hospital in Winchester under the influence of alcohol, the Health Professions Council found.

He arrived at the hospital's accident and emergency unit early on Christmas Day 2006 and carried out X-rays on two patients before he was due to start his shifts.

Mr Baker admitted he had drunk three pints of beer over lunch immediately before reporting for work.

The HPC conduct and competence committee, sitting in London, also heard evidence he had consumed ''a lot'' of drink on the previous day.

HPC panel chairman Paul Archer said: ''The panel has concluded that this historical misconduct has the consequence that Mr Baker's fitness to practise is still impaired.

''The reason for this finding is that although Mr Baker has asserted - without any supporting evidence - that he is no longer abusing alcohol, he has not addressed the issue of the very significant lack of insight he demonstrated on the day in question by turning up to work intoxicated.'' Mr Baker's registration was suspended for six months.