Watchdog to probe patient death

A health watchdog is to investigate the death of a patient who was accidentally given a lethal overdose by a German doctor providing out-of-hours NHS care.

Dr Daniel Ubani gave David Gray 10 times too much painkiller while working for a Cambridgeshire health trust.

He was given a nine-month suspended sentence in Germany for negligence over the death of Mr Gray, 70, in 2008.

The Care Quality Commission has said it will investigate the case and the service provided by firm Take Care Now.

The CQC is to decide the precise scope of its inquiry in the next few days.

We are aware of a number of concerns in relation to out-of-hours care provided by Take Care Now to the NHS

Christine Braithwaite, CQC

Christine Braithwaite, head of investigations and enforcement at the CQC, said: "This is a deeply disturbing case and one that must be thoroughly looked into.

"We have to ensure that any lessons are learned.

"We are aware of a number of concerns in relation to out-of-hours care provided by Take Care Now to the NHS."

Ms Braithwaite said all these issues would be examined to ensure the interests and safety of patients were properly safeguarded.

The chief executive of NHS Cambridgeshire, Chris Banks, said: "This doctor failed Mr Gray and his family. That is something we deeply regret."

Patient safety

He also said the trust was disappointed the doctor would not be facing a British court.

"We have supported the police in their investigation and we are disappointed that the doctor may not now be tried in the UK.

"Although he has been found guilty in Germany, we are concerned that Mr Gray's family may not feel that justice has been done."

A spokeswoman for the Department of Health said: "Local NHS organisations have co-operated fully with the police and prosecuting authorities, and action has been taken to ensure patient safety and to find out what went wrong."

A review of emergency care last year found the NHS had improved since 2005, the spokeswoman said.

Concerns about individual doctors are investigated by the General Medical Council which has the power to strike them off, she added.