A doctor who killed a grandmother with a diamorphine overdose and gave another patient a potentially lethal injection within the space of an hour operated at “far below” the medical standard expected, a disciplinary panel ruled.
In an intermediary decision, the GMC found that the fitness to practise of Dr Michael Stevenson, 57, who worked for an out-of-hours GP service, was “impaired” by his conviction for manslaughter and his “misconduct” in dealing with the second patient.
Stevenson was spared jail when he admitted causing the death of Marjorie Wright, a 58-year-old grandmother, at her home in Workington, Cumbria, in January 2005.
The family GP, from Millom, accidentally gave Mrs Wright a 30mg dose of diamorphine instead of 5mg, failed to monitor her reaction to the drug and left to attend another house call. She was found dead when police broke into her home shortly afterwards.
On his next visit for the CueDoc out-hours GP service, Stevenson administered an identical overdose to a 59-year-old builder, who suffered an immediate respiratory arrest. The patient survived after paramedics were called and gave him an emergency antidote.
The GMC panel’s chairman, Professor Ken Hobbs, said: “In respect of both Mrs Wright and Mr E, the panel finds Dr Stevenson’s conduct to have fallen far below the standard expected of a competent registered medical practitioner.”
His 15-month jail term, suspended for two years, over the death of Mrs Wright was considered by the panel after they determined the facts of the other cases.
The GMC disciplinary hearing will now consider further evidence and submissions to decide whether Stevenson should be struck off the medical register or be subjected to any professional sanctions. He has previously vowed never to practise again.
Read more at The Guardian.
Tags: Diamorphine, fitness to practise, GMC
