Coroner calls for review of GPs medical practices after inquest into three deaths

1032AM GMT fifteen March 2010

Howard Martin Dr Martin, 75, was privileged of murdering Frank Moss, 59, Harry Gittins, 74, and Stanley Weldon, 74, with overdoses of hypnotic after a conference at Teesside Crown Court in Dec 2005. Photo AP

Andrew Tweddle, County Durham Coroner, pronounced he would be essay to the healing authorities to prominence issues lifted during the inquests on 3 patients who were treated with colour by Dr Howard Martin.

Dr Martin, 75, was privileged of murdering Frank Moss, 59, Harry Gittins, 74, and Stanley Weldon, 74, with overdoses of hypnotic after a conference at Teesside Crown Court in Dec 2005.

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All 3 men had been patients of Dr Martin when he was a partner at the Jubilee Medical Group, that had surgeries in Newton Aycliffe, Shildon and Eldon, all in County Durham.

Reading from a seven-page statement, Mr Tweddle pronounced ""It has already been dynamic that Dr Martin did not intend to kill Mr Weldon, Mr Moss or Mr Gittins and zero in this outcome should be construed in any approach to criticise that fact.

""Dr Martin has been described to me as an old-fashioned, normal ubiquitous practitioner, one who placed good store on his close personal attribute with his patients.

""However, such old fashioned and normal values should have not lengthened to a march of diagnosis that was described as "risky" or "antiquated".

""His patients would have approaching diagnosis that was in line with the supposed healing use of the day, nice to the resources as required by Dr Martin, in keeping with his personal proceed to the caring of the terminally ill.

""The open should have finish conviction in the GPs as they place their lives in their hands.

""I think it is suitable for those who have energy to change the approach GPs work and work to cruise once again what serve changes are necessary, if any, in an try to try to equivocate identical fatalities in the future.

""Accordingly, I introduce to write a minute to the applicable authorities, in ubiquitous terms, propelling them to examination their systems once again, in the light of the justification given at these inquests.""

After Dr Martin"s acquittal, Mr Tweddle motionless not to hold an exploration in to the deaths, observant a consummate examination had already taken place and he could not force the GP, who right away lives in Penmaenmawr, Gwynedd, North Wales, to give evidence.

But in Nov last year, a High Court decider overruled his preference and systematic an inquisition in to the genocide of cancer studious Mr Moss following a authorised plea by his daughter, Allison.

At the begin of the inquests, Mr Tweddle done it transparent that Dr Martin was "not on conference in any shape, approach or form".

During the month-long conference at Chester-le-Street Magistrates" Court, Dr Martin did give justification but declined to answer multiform questions following authorised advice.

The inquests listened that Dr Martin, similar to most GPs at the time, was demure to take piece in a personal growth plan with health bosses in the early 2000s.

Mr Tweddle asked him "Did you on purpose confirm not to take piece in personal growth procedures?"

Dr Martin pronounced "After advice, I decrease to answer."

The inquisition follows a legal examination and in his ruling, Mr Justice Underhill pronounced "Dr Martin authorised his prescribing practices to turn wanton and out of date and was as well realistic or regressive to be rebuilt to cgange them."

Mr Tweddle invited the alloy to criticism on the judge"s statement, but he declined.

The inquisition additionally listened from Professor Edwin Pugh, a palliative caring consultant, who lifted concerns about hypnotic doses Dr Martin gave a studious who died in 2000.

He pronounced he was unknown with the studious and details, but upheld on the concerns of a reputable Macmillan helper to the health management and police, whose exploration led to no action.

Mr Tweddle pronounced the healing authorities had scrupulously investigated an explain that Dr Martin had been administering opiates to terminally ill patients in fatal doses and pronounced inquiries found the explain was "without basis".

"It is hapless that in 2000 there were a miss of options accessible inside of the NHS to understanding with GPs about whom concerns had been raised," Mr Tweddle said.

"Where concerns and control fell short of meriting rapist record or a grave mention to the GMC, such alternative alternatives were spontaneous and could be ineffectual.

"It is recognized that these events took place multiform years ago and there has been given that time a series of complement changes written to urge both studious reserve and GP performance.

"A series of such reforms have been as a outcome of the inform of Dame Janet Smith in the Shipman inquiry. Not all recommendations have nonetheless been implemented.

"Dame Janet Smith had accessible to her substantial justification and resources to capacitate her to have deliberate recommendations in her reports. I have neither.

"I am not means to establish either the changes nonetheless implemented are enough and adequate."