Depressed GP hanged herself

A GP suffering from depression committed suicide at her home, a Cornwall inquest has heard.

Lucinda Macdonald, known as Cindy, had been a partner in a practice in Falmouth for five years.

The 37-year-old, who studied medicine at Cambridge University, was first prescribed a course of anti-depressants in 1998.

She was found dead at her home in Perranwell Station, Truro, in January.

Burn-out

Dr Macdonald was given three months off from her Falmouth practice for depression, probably due to the pressure of working in a two-partner surgery, the inquest heard.

After the partnership was dissolved, Dr Macdonald spent two years working as a locum.

When she was prescribed anti-depressants, a consultant psychiatrist's report said: "She was suffering from symptoms of depression and burn-out."

Dr Macdonald was admitted to The Priory hospital in Bristol for treatment for depression on 13 January and was discharged after eight days.

Her father, David Macdonald, found her dead on 30 January.

She had left suicide notes for her parents and her fiancé Dr Nigel Gray, also a GP.

The couple had been due to marry next year.

The West Cornwall coroner Edward Carlyon recorded a verdict of suicide at the Truro inquest.