Tuesday, August 15, 2006

Psychiatrist left £1.5m by patient gets away with it, does not face charges/

Maybe we are all just being just a little too skeptical of psychs. But as seen in this story, there is enough there that, well, wouldn't you be skeptical? I can't wait for it to form the basis for an episode of Law and Order.

A psychiatrist from the Priory Clinic accused of persuading a former model and millionairess patient to change her will leaving him a £1.5million legacy was today told he would not face criminal charges.

But at an inquest into the death of Patricia May, Dr Peter Rowan, who has been suspended by the clinic, was criticised for "blurring the distinction between a platonic friendship and a doctor-patient relationship" and may still face a medical disciplinary hearing.

And it emerged today that Dr Rowan drafted a letter for Miss May to the Inland Revenue assuring them that gifts of cash totalling £150,000, given because of the 'high esteem' she had for their friendship, should not be taxed.

Miss May, a former actress and ex-debutante slipped in her bath, bruising her rib. She was taken to hospital and died from unknown respiratory problems caused by pneumonia and chronic lung disease 24 hours after being admitted to Chelsea and Westminster hospital on March 8 2003.

Westminster Coroners Court heard how the 66-year old became infatuated with her psychiatrist Dr Rowan. Her friends believed the cocktail of anti-depressants and sleeping pills he was prescribing her may have contributed to her death. A huge cache of drugs was found in Miss May's flat after she died.

Dr Rowan, a senior doctor specialising in eating disorders at the clinic made famous for its drug and alcohol-addicted celebrity clients, claimed the medication had helped anorexic Miss May recover and denied he had forced her to change her will so he could secure her fortune.

The inquest heard how spinster Miss May, who was being prescribed drugs by her GP for breathing problems, was given a cocktail of sedatives by Dr Rowan which were known to impair the patient's breathing.

It as alleged that these sedatives may have caused her fall and thus led to her death.

Coroner Dr Paul Knapman said: "There are two letters one in Dr Rowan's handwriting and a second which is the same written to the Inland Revenue and signed by Patricia May.

"It infers that there has been a friendship and that gifts of money have been made to Dr Rowan. It does appear the relationship was not a formal doctor patient relationship.

"The letter relates to two cash payments of £50,000 and £100,000 made in November 1996 and May 1997.

Detective Sergeant Ian Parker said: "The letter to the Inland Revenue formed part of our investigation. It was submitted as evidence to the Crown Prosecution Service but no criminal charges will be made against Dr Rowan."

Miss May also paid for skiing holidays for his two daughters and as the principal benefactor of her will was set to inherit £1.5million although she only left £600,000 to her friends and family.

Today the inquest heard that Dr Rowan would not face criminal charges but he could still be the subject of a General Medical Council hearing to decide whether the drugs were prescribed in good faith and gross negligence was not an issue.

The inquest also heard how her death had originally not been reported to the coroner and a post-mortem had not been carried out. This led to some confusion as to the precise cause of her death.

It was earlier revealed that Dr Rowan had not advised Miss May's NHS GP about the cocktail of drugs he was prescribing her and that she had kept their relationship a secret.

Coroner Paul Knapman today recorded an open verdict caused by unknown respiratory failure.

He said: "The unfortunate element has been the blurring of the distinction between a platonic friendship on one hand and the doctor-patient relationship on the other.

"It is the more unfortunate when the prescription of quite powerful drugs was involved, especially as record-keeping seems inadequate and the GP was not informed.

"The question is whether she was taking inappropriate drugs when she fell and so whether they were responsible for her death.

"Unfortunately this case was not reported to the coroner so no autopsy was performed and the body has been cremated. We simply do not know if she was taking Dr Rowan's medication irrespective of whether it has any bearing on her death.

"I conclude Patricia May has died from respiratory failure of an unknown cause. I don't consider the police need to take these matters any further."

Dr Rowan has been suspended from the Priory Clinic.

In a statement today Professor Chris Thompson, of the Priory Group, said: "The Priory has very clear standards regarding professional practise and therefore Dr Peter Rowan's practising privileges have been suspended while we conduct a rigorous and thorough investigation of all aspects of this matter. Once we have concluded our investigation we will take the appropriate action."

Miss May's family and Dr Rowan both declined to comment on the verdict.

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