The good old days

[Dedworth]

Dr Harold Shipman was jailed 14 years before your " Doctors in the Dock " thread - for killing 15 of his patients ( and probably at least 200 more ). This British GP, a graduate of Leeds Medical School, was the UK's worst serial killer. He was found hanging in his cell 4 years later.


This ONE evil doctor may put into context the " disproportionate number of foreign doctors struck off " in more recent years.

Sadly nothing guarantees that the UK could not have another " Dr Shipman " , but many changes for the better followed the recommendations of the " Shipman Enquiry ".


These did NOT include punishment by hanging, but DID improve death certification ; investigation of deaths by Coroners ; and regulation of controlled drugs in the community; with a radical shake up of the GMC such that it would include non-medical members, and formation of the Medical Practitioners Tribunal Service, also with non-medical members. Doctors are now regularly " revalidated " ( appraised ) to ensure they're up to date and safe.

Thanks Doc - I heard a radio programme a couple of years ago where (as you say) they were speculating there could have been dozens more victims. Wasn't it another Doctor who figured out that Shipman always certified his own patients dead ?