Shropshire doctor ‘gave cancer patient fatal drug dose’
Thursday 4th August 2011, 11:29AM BST.
A Shropshire family doctor deliberately hastened the death of a terminally ill patient by giving him a fatal overdose of medication, it has been claimed at a medical tribunal.
GP William Bassett, who runs Brown Clee Medical Practice in Ditton Priors, near Bridgnorth, gave the man a lethal injection of diamorphine after the 65-year-old, who was suffering from lung cancer, became distressed with his illness.
In the run-up to the death Dr Bassett, 48, made four visits in 24 hours after the patient, who was at home with his family, began throwing off his oxygen mask in a “highly disturbed state”.
The General Medical Council fitness to practise panel heard in Manchester yesterday that on May 29, 2009, he administered the fatal 100mg dose after telling a nurse he did not expect the man, known as Patient A, to live much longer.
He was later questioned by police but claimed he had only meant to administer 20mg – but after the patient began to struggle he accidentally administered the entire dose.
Dr Bassett, who faces being struck off, admits administering the fatal overdose but denies intending to hasten the patient’s death.
The family of the deceased are said to have told investigators Dr Bassett was “helpful” during the distressing episode and asked to take no part in the proceedings.
Peter Atherton, counsel for the GMC, said: “At that time he was a general practitioner in a rural practice in Shropshire and was highly regarded by his colleagues, and professed a particular interest in palliative care in which he worked with a team of Macmillan nurses to achieve a high standard of care.”
The hearing continues.
Most Commented
- Clampdown on Shrewsbury chuggers
- Bishop's gay marriage views do nothing to support bible teachings
- Planners ordered to stay on Newport visit bus
- Letter: Angered by close encounter of the furred kind
- Letter: Alcohol price plans annoy me
- Shrewsbury’s broadband speed one of slowest in UK
- Letter: No sense in overseas job adverts
Shropshire Star on Twitter
Keep updated with the latest breaking news and content on our Twitter feed.
Lifestyle
Interactive Dining Out map
Hundreds of reviews by the Shropshire Star and Express & Star's teams to help you decide where to eat.
Entertainment
All the film reviews
Before you plan a trip to the pictures, get our critics' verdicts on all the latest movie releases.
OUR NEW APP
Get the new Shropshire Star app
Download the Shropshire Star’s new app to your iPad or iPhone to get one week of access to our digital newspapers absolutely FREE.
shropshirestar.com
Popular sections
Useful links
