This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/scotland/glasgow_and_west/7523596.stm

The article has changed 4 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Suspension for 'suicide' case GP Suspension for 'suicide' case GP
(40 minutes later)
A Glasgow GP has been suspended for six months by the General Medical Council after prescribing sleeping tablets to a suicidal patient.A Glasgow GP has been suspended for six months by the General Medical Council after prescribing sleeping tablets to a suicidal patient.
Dr Iain Kerr, from Williamwood Medical Centre in Clarkston, had been found guilty of misconduct by the GMC's Fitness to Practise Panel.Dr Iain Kerr, from Williamwood Medical Centre in Clarkston, had been found guilty of misconduct by the GMC's Fitness to Practise Panel.
The 61-year-old was also criticised over his treatment of the woman, who took her life in 2005. The 61-year-old was also found to have acted inappropriately over prescribing drugs to four other patients.
The panel said his actions were "inappropriate and irresponsible". His record-keeping was criticised in relation to a sixth patient.
During the hearing in Manchester, the panel heard that Dr Kerr supplied sodium amytal to the elderly woman, known as Patient A, in 1998. The GMC panel found the doctor's misconduct focused on several key areas.
He also prescribed temazepam to the woman on 1 December 2005 despite a suspected failed suicide attempt two days before. It found he prescribed the retired businesswoman, known as Patient A, with the sleeping tablet sodium amytal in 1998 "solely for the purpose of ending her life".
The woman was found dead at her home 11 days later. She had suffered an overdose of different drugs including temazepam. The panel also said he practised poor clinical management after she took an overdose of a different drug in 2005.
On Tuesday, the GMC panel ruled that Dr Kerr's decision to prescribe sleeping tablets to Patient A was "inappropriate and irresponsible". The panel said he prescribed sodium amytal without adequate reason and contrary to guidance, and that he failed to make adequate notes.
It said this was "likely to bring the profession into disrepute" and not in the patient's best interest. The panel is of the opinion that you allowed your views in respect of physician-assisted suicide to influence your treatment of patient A John DonnellyGMC Fitness to Practice Panel The hearing in Manchester was also told that Dr Kerr prescribed sodium amytal pills to five other patients, despite the fact that four of them did not suffer from insomnia.
Dr Kerr was also branded irresponsible for not referring Patient A to hospital after she initially overdosed on temazepam tablets in 2005. Medical guidelines state that the powerful sleeping pills should be used to treat only "severe and intractable insomnia".
The five patients were four women aged 75, 76, 72 and 61 and a man aged 73.
One of the women suffered from depression, another was terminally ill, another had heart problems and the man had a drink problem.
The GMC panel found Dr Kerr acted inappropriately by not making a record of why he prescribed sodium amytal pills to four patients.
It also said he had not kept proper records in relation to a fifth patient.
The chairman of the Fitness to Practice Panel, John Donnelly, told him: "The panel is of the opinion that you allowed your views in respect of physician-assisted suicide to influence your treatment of patient A.
"You made a serious misjudgement and embarked on a potentially criminal act.
"It is an important task of the panel to maintain public confidence in the profession and to uphold proper standards of conduct.
"This case is serious and it is necessary in the public interest to mark the panel's disapproval of your behaviour."
'Sufficient sanction'
Mr Donnelly said it was important for the panel to send a message to the medical profession that this type of behaviour was unacceptable.
He added: "The panel is of the view that given the range of mitigating factors, a suspension of your registration, for a period of six months, is sufficient to maintain public confidence in the profession, protect the public and uphold proper standards of professional conduct and behaviour, and is a proportionate and sufficient sanction."
Dr Kerr was investigated by local health authorities after saying during an appraisal in 2004 that his "achievements" included helping patients at the end of their lives.
Strathclyde Police took no action after finding there was "insufficient evidence".
There is no legislation in Scotland on suicide. Those who assist another to commit suicide are usually charged with culpable homicide.
The Suicide Act 1961, which prohibits assisting suicide, applies only in England and Wales.