A GP who killed a woman after accidentally injecting her with an overdose of diamorphine is being investigated over the deaths of other patients, the High Court has heard.
The General Medical Council (GMC) said it is probing “at least 11 and up to 14” further possible excessive dose cases linked to Dr Michael Stevenson.
Stevenson, 55, of Bootle, Cumbria, admitted the manslaughter of grandmother Marjorie Wright, 58, from Workington.
She died after he accidentally gave her a 30mg dose of diamorphine, instead of 5mg, on 30 January, 2005.
Back in April this year, the senior partner at the Seascale Practice was sentenced to 15 months in jail, suspended for two years.
But the GMC’s lawyers have argued that an interim ban on him practising as a GP should be extended by 12 months to give adequate time for the new allegations to be investigated.
Andrew Colman, appearing for the GMC, told Mr Justice Silber: “We have now recently been given information about another 11 cases at least, and possibly up to 14, in which there is criticism of the doctor for his administration of excessive quantities of diamorphine – 11 of which may have resulted in premature death.”
He said that a further suspension order lasting 12 months was necessary to protect the public, but the judge ruled that nine months was an appropriate amount of time.
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