A GP who was suspended for misconduct after giving sleeping pills to a suicidal patient has been allowed to retain his practice, health bosses have revealed.
Dr Iain Kerr, 61, was suspended from practising medicine for six months after prescribing the tablets to a retired businesswoman considering suicide.
A hearing by the General Medical Council (GMC) last month found him guilty of misconduct and Dr Kerr faced having the contract for his practice, in the Glasgow suburb of Clarkston, terminated.
However, NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde has revealed that, while it is required to remove the doctor’s name from the list of GPs in the board area, his practice would remain open. Patients at the surgery will be attended by locums during Dr Kerr’s suspension, it added.
“We will be writing to patients who have contacted the board expressing concern about Dr Kerr’s situation, explaining how general medical services will continue to be provided at the Williamwood Medical Centre during Dr Kerr’s suspension,” the health board said in a statement.
“Once the suspension has been served, Dr Kerr has the right to re-apply to be re-instated to the list of general medical practitioners in the board area.”
Copyright © PA Business 2008
