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GP acquitted over allergy death GP acquitted over allergy death
(40 minutes later)
A former Devon GP charged with killing an elderly patient by prescribing the wrong medication has been acquitted.A former Devon GP charged with killing an elderly patient by prescribing the wrong medication has been acquitted.
Dr Mitra Nikkhah, 41, who is now based in Dubai, denied manslaughter through gross negligence following the death of David Townsend in Plymouth in May 2006.Dr Mitra Nikkhah, 41, who is now based in Dubai, denied manslaughter through gross negligence following the death of David Townsend in Plymouth in May 2006.
The pensioner, who was allergic to penicillin, was prescribed the drug by Dr Nikkhah and later died at his home.The pensioner, who was allergic to penicillin, was prescribed the drug by Dr Nikkhah and later died at his home.
The GP told Plymouth Crown Court she had asked if he was allergic to anything but nothing was mentioned.The GP told Plymouth Crown Court she had asked if he was allergic to anything but nothing was mentioned.
The jury heard that during the 13-minute consultation at the St Budeaux Health Centre, Dr Nikkhah had sometimes had to repeat questions as Mr and Mrs Townsend could not hear very well and had looked confused when she had asked if he suffered any allergies.The jury heard that during the 13-minute consultation at the St Budeaux Health Centre, Dr Nikkhah had sometimes had to repeat questions as Mr and Mrs Townsend could not hear very well and had looked confused when she had asked if he suffered any allergies.
It is my normal practice to ask if there is any allergy to medication, I did in this case Dr Mitra NikkhahIt is my normal practice to ask if there is any allergy to medication, I did in this case Dr Mitra Nikkhah
She examined Mr Townsend, who lived in Antony Gardens, Plymouth, and found he was suffering from a throat infection, bronchitis and a lower back abscess.She examined Mr Townsend, who lived in Antony Gardens, Plymouth, and found he was suffering from a throat infection, bronchitis and a lower back abscess.
The "antibiotic of choice" to treat Mr Townsend was penicillin she told the jury during the two-week trial.The "antibiotic of choice" to treat Mr Townsend was penicillin she told the jury during the two-week trial.
'Deepest condolences''Deepest condolences'
"It is my normal practice to ask if there is any allergy to medication, I did in this case," she said."It is my normal practice to ask if there is any allergy to medication, I did in this case," she said.
The court heard that she checked computer records which showed no warning about a penicillin allergy and that records had also shown he had been prescribed a number of types of penicillin in the past.The court heard that she checked computer records which showed no warning about a penicillin allergy and that records had also shown he had been prescribed a number of types of penicillin in the past.
After taking penicillin Mr Townsend went into anaphylactic shock and died After taking penicillin Mr Townsend died
The court was told that since October 2007 Dr Nikkhah worked as a GP in Dubai where her parents lived but that after she discussed the criminal charge with her employers there, her contract was terminated.The court was told that since October 2007 Dr Nikkhah worked as a GP in Dubai where her parents lived but that after she discussed the criminal charge with her employers there, her contract was terminated.
She said she found another job as a GP in Dubai but learned, after the prosecution concluded their case, that the authorities there had cancelled her registration and licence to practise.She said she found another job as a GP in Dubai but learned, after the prosecution concluded their case, that the authorities there had cancelled her registration and licence to practise.
Speaking after the verdict, Dr Nikkhah said she wanted "to extend her deepest condolences to the family".Speaking after the verdict, Dr Nikkhah said she wanted "to extend her deepest condolences to the family".
"This has clearly been a tragedy for all concerned," she said."This has clearly been a tragedy for all concerned," she said.
"However, I have always maintained that my actions that day were not negligent and am pleased that the jury have examined the evidence and found me not guilty of manslaughter.""However, I have always maintained that my actions that day were not negligent and am pleased that the jury have examined the evidence and found me not guilty of manslaughter."
The court awarded her defence costs.The court awarded her defence costs.