GP 'wrong to give sleeping pills to suicidal woman'
A GLASGOW GP was wrong to prescribe sleeping pills to a patient who had talked of killing herself, a medical expert said yesterday.
Dr Iain Kerr gave the pills to an 87-year-old woman who went on to take her own life using different drugs he had prescribed her, a General Medical Council hearing in Manchester was told.
The 61-year-old doctor had allegedly told colleagues he was in favour of assisted suicide and had prescribed pills to the woman, known as Patient A, to enable her to end her life.
Dr Leonard Peter, a medical expert for the GMC, also criticised Dr Kerr for prescribing Patient A with Temazepam just days after she tried to kill herself with the drug.
He said the standard of care from Dr Kerr, who runs an independent practice at the Williamwood Medical Centre, Seres Road, Clarkston, fell far below that expected of a GP.
The hearing continues.
The full article contains 165 words and appears in The Scotsman newspaper.
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Last Updated:
17 July 2008 9:37 PM
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Source:
The Scotsman
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Location:
Edinburgh
