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Out-of-hours GP was 'incompetent' Patient 'killed unlawfully' by GP
(about 1 hour later)
An overseas doctor who gave a patient a fatal overdose was "incompetent and not of an acceptable standard", a coroner ruled today. Reform of the out-of-hours system is needed to ensure the safety of patients, a coroner has said.
The inquest into the deaths of two patients treated by German doctor Dr Daniel Ubani has highlighted concerns about out of hours GP care. William Morris made 11 recommendations in giving his verdict over the deaths of two patients treated by an overseas doctor working his first NHS shift.
David Gray, 70, from Cambridgeshire, died in 2008 from an overdose of diamorphine given by Dr Ubani. He ruled that one patient - David Gray - was unlawfully killed after being given an overdose of diamorphine by German medic Dr Daniel Ubani.
Iris Edwards, 86, Dr Ubani's next patient, later died of a heart attack. He was working for Take Care Now, a company providing out-of-hours care.
Dr Ubani was working for Take Care Now, the company which was running the NHS out-of-hours service in Cambridgeshire. The contract has now been terminated. The contract to provide the out-of-hours services in Cambridgeshire has now been terminated.
Mr Morris said Dr Ubani had made "a gross error and was incompetent and not of an acceptable standard" in carrying out his duties in February 2008.
But he also criticised the "insufficient induction" he was given by Take Care Now as well as the NHS system which meant his skills were not properly assessed.
He called for a review of European regulations which allow free movement of doctors, a national database of overseas doctors applying to work in out-of-hours services in the NHS, and more consistent standards in monitoring by local health chiefs working for primary care trusts.
Dr Ubani had had an application to work in the UK rejected by the NHS in Leeds because of inadequate English.
But he later got approval in Cornwall after they did not test his language skills.
Mr Morris also said there should be better assessment by the NHS of overseas doctors ability to work in the UK.
'Profound apology'
Cambridgeshire Primary Care Trust issued a "profound apology" in court to the families of David Gray and other patients treated that day.Cambridgeshire Primary Care Trust issued a "profound apology" in court to the families of David Gray and other patients treated that day.
The PCT said Dr Ubani had delivered "substandard and dangerous treatment", and it apologised for "these failures and failures in the system."The PCT said Dr Ubani had delivered "substandard and dangerous treatment", and it apologised for "these failures and failures in the system."
Negligence Mr Gray was suffering from renal colic when he was given 10 times the normal amount of the painkiller diamorphine by Dr Daniel Ubani at his home in Manea, Cambridgeshire on February 16, 2008, and was pronounced dead fours hour later, the hearing was told.
A second patient, Iris Edwards, 86, was ruled by the inquest to have died of natural causes.
David Gray was given a huge overdose of the painkiller diamorphine
In April 2009, the German authorities gave Dr Ubani a nine-month prison sentence, suspended for two years, and he was ordered to pay a £4,500 fine for causing Mr Gray's death by negligence.In April 2009, the German authorities gave Dr Ubani a nine-month prison sentence, suspended for two years, and he was ordered to pay a £4,500 fine for causing Mr Gray's death by negligence.
But he continues to practise as a cosmetic surgeon in the west German town of Witten.But he continues to practise as a cosmetic surgeon in the west German town of Witten.
The German conviction meant he could not be extradited to face possibly more serious charges in the UK.The German conviction meant he could not be extradited to face possibly more serious charges in the UK.
Ms Edwards's case was not part of the criminal inquiry, although medical experts believe she was inappropriately treated and should have been sent to hospital. Ms Edwards case was not part of the criminal inquiry, although medical experts believe she was inappropriately treated and should have been sent to hospital.