A locum agency that hired a foreign doctor who accidentally killed a patient has had its trust contract terminated.
Take Care Now (TCN), which organises cover for weekend and evening GP shifts, had been closely monitored since the death of David Gray, 70, last year.
He was given 10 times too much painkiller by Dr Daniel Ubani, a locum doctor from Germany, which prompted an investigation by NHS Cambridgeshire, the health trust concerned.
Chief Executive Chris Banks reported that TCN’s contract had been terminated after 20 unannounced inspections and 13 unannounced spot checks.
The company had also been investigated by the national NHS watchdog the Care Quality Commission, and a report of its findings is due to be released early next year. In October, an interim report expressed ongoing concerns.
Said Mr Banks: “With this additional evidence of failure to provide the contracted services, we decided to issue a termination notice ending our contract for these services with effect from 1 December.”
He said NHS Cambridgeshire is consulting and tendering for a new out-of-hours service to be introduced in April next year.
Copyright © Press Association 2009
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