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THE SHIPMAN INQUIRY - BULLETIN NO.1 - 3RD JULY 2001

The opening of the Inquiry

The Inquiry opened amongst a frenzy of media interest on 20 June 2001. The principal opening speech was made by leading counsel to the Inquiry, Caroline Swift QC, who set out the details of Shipman's career in Todmorden and Hyde. She revealed for the first time that the Home Office carried out its own investigation into Shipman's activities following his conviction for pethidine abuse in February 1976, but took no further action.

As to Phase 1 of the Inquiry, Miss Swift explained that each of the 459 cases before the Inquiry would be considered one at a time. The Chairman, Dame Janet Smith, would then make a decision in each case of unlawful killing, death by natural or unnatural causes or she would return an open verdict. She would only give an open verdict where there was insufficient evidence to prove either that the death was suspicious or that it was entirely natural. Miss Swift stressed that the Inquiry would accept evidence about an individual case right up to the time of Dame Janet's decision, so leaving it open to the families to submit any last minute information that may come to light.

Richard Lissack QC, for the families and friends represented by Alexander Harris, then gave his opening remarks. He expressed his confidence in the Chairman's ability to investigate Shipman's activities thoroughly and impartially and offered every assistance to her in achieving that end. His criticism was reserved for the Coroner, John Pollard, who - unknown to the Inquiry or any of the families - opened and adjourned around 230 inquests on 18 May. He stressed that in carrying out this process behind closed doors, the families and friends of the deceased had missed out on an essential part of their grieving process. Dame Janet described it as an "unfortunate incident".

Having heard the opening speeches on day 1, the Inquiry launched straight into the Phase 1 expert evidence on day 2. The first to the stand was Professor McQuay, an expert in pain relief from Oxford University. He had provided a report to the Inquiry regarding the use and effects of morphine and diamorphine. He explained that the usual dose of morphine in "one-off" situations, such as a heart attack, would be 10mg of morphine (5 of diamorphine), but that Shipman often prescribed much more than was necessary.

Dr. Grenville, an expert in general practice, then gave evidence on a number of issues arising out of Shipman's practice. He criticised Shipman's poor record keeping and his failure to keep a Controlled Drugs Register for the morphine he administered. He explained that it was highly unusual for patients to die of a stroke or heart attack and be found sitting peacefully in a chair. It was even more unusual for the GP to be present at the time of death; in his experience this only happened every 2 or 3 years. When questioned by Mr. Lissack, he emphasised that when a patient had been given a lethal injection by Shipman, it was highly unlikely that they would have realised they were dying and they would not have suffered.

Richard Baker, Professor in Quality in Health Care, then gave evidence concerning the likely number of suspicious deaths amongst Shipman's patients. In his clinical audit, he had compared the number of Medical Certificates of Cause of Death (MCCDs) issued by Shipman with the numbers issued by other GPs in the Tameside area. He found there to be an excess of 297, with the greatest excess amongst women over 75. He also compared the numbers of deaths in Shipman's practice to other comparison groups in England and Wales and found a significant excess. He said there was no persuasive clinical reason for these excess deaths.

JULY 2ND TO 13TH 2001

Evidence will be heard regarding the following deceased in the next two weeks:

Fanny Nichols (2nd July), Joseph Bardsley (2nd July), Beatrice Toft (3rd July), Edna Llewellyn (5th July), Marjorie Waller (6th July), Kenneth and Sidney Smith (9th July), Josephine Hall (10th July) and Thomas Cheetham (13th July).

If you believe that you might have a legal claim relating to Shipman Bulletin 1, please complete the online enquiry form or call 0870 024 0558. Your enquiry will be forwarded to a solicitor who specialises in Shipman Bulletin 1.

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