GP took patients' prescriptions

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A GP pocketed so many painkillers for his own use that he almost exhausted Jersey's stocks of a drug, the General Medical Council heard.

Michael Vincent, 50, split his prescriptions of pethidine between him and his patients, the hearing was told.

Jersey's supply of the drug nearly ran so low he had to switch to heroin substitute diamorphine, the GMC heard.

Vincent, who has been convicted of obtaining property by false pretences, is appearing before the GMC in London.

Pharmacy 'concerned'

Sam Taggart, for the GMC, told the hearing: 'The pethidine stocks in Jersey ran so low, he started prescribing diamorphine.

'He estimates for pethidine 50 per cent went to the patients and 50 per cent went for himself."

The doctor's scam was uncovered when a pharmacy in St Helier became concerned about the amount of pethidine and diamorphine that was being prescribed to patients by Vincent.

An investigation revealed that in total about 30 doses of diamorphine and 30 doses of pethidine were unaccounted for.

But Mr Taggart said no harm came to any of his patients as a result of his activities.

Vincent was arrested in 2006 after he failed a roadside drug test.

Last year he was convicted in Jersey of two counts of obtaining property by false pretences and failing to provide a specimen and was sentenced to 240 hours' community service.

Vincent, of St Clement, Jersey, could be struck off if the panel find him unfit to practise because of his conviction and adverse health.

The hearing continues.