'Suicide' case GP could lose job

Dr Iain Kerr was found guilty of misconduct

A Glasgow GP who was suspended for six months after prescribing sleeping tablets to a suicidal patient could have his contract terminated.

Dr Iain Kerr, 61, who has a practice in the Clarkston area, was found guilty of misconduct by the General Medical Council's Fitness to Practise Panel.

He is scheduled to meet NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde (GGC) on Wednesday.

Dr Kerr said he had been informed that health officials had taken legal advice on terminating his contract.

In a statement posted on the window of his practice, Dr Kerr states: "Following my suspension by the General Medical Council I have been informed that the Greater Glasgow and Clyde Health Board has taken legal advice and may cancel my contract to provide medical services.

"This means I will no longer be able to work as a general practitioner at all in future. My staff will also lose their jobs.

"I have a meeting with health board officials on Wednesday 27 August. Patients wishing to protest should contact the health board."

Sleeping tablet

A member of staff at Dr Kerr's practice told BBC Scotland that he had not been advised of the time or venue of the meeting on Wednesday.

A statement from NHS GGC said a meeting was arranged following his suspension but that it "would be inappropriate to comment further at this stage".

The GMC panel found Dr Kerr guilty of misconduct following hearings in Manchester in July.

It found he prescribed a retired businesswoman, known as Patient A, with the sleeping tablet sodium amytal in 1998 "solely for the purpose of ending her life".

The panel also said he showed poor clinical management after she took an overdose of a different drug in 2005.

Inappropriate action

The panel said he prescribed sodium amytal without adequate reason and contrary to guidance, and that he failed to make adequate notes.

The hearing 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.

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.

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.