Drug death doctor not registered (not licensed)

As reported by the BBC

A psychiatrist accused of the manslaughter of a suicidal patient was not registered (i.e. licensed), a court has heard.

Peter Fisher, 46, is accused of killing Peter Weighman, 39, who died from a drugs overdose at West Cumberland Infirmary in September 2002.

Dr Fisher of Cullompton, Devon, denies manslaughter through gross negligence.

Carlisle Crown Court heard how he was not registered to work in the UK and could only work abroad under supervision after an investigation.

On the first day of the trial on Tuesday, the court heard how Dr Fisher was in charge of the mental health ward where Mr Weighman, of Duke Street, Whitehaven, was being treated for depression.

'Lack of initiative'

Alistair Webster, prosecuting, said Dr Fisher failed to prevent the death of the father-of-two, who swallowed 50 tablets of coproxamol.

Mr Webster said: "He was guilty of gross negligence and his lack of care was criminal and was a significant cause leading to this man's death."

The defendant, who registered with the General Medical Council in 1985, worked in Merseyside before he moved to New Zealand in 1992 where he worked as a psychiatric medical officer.

In May 2002 concerns were raised about his "lack of initiative" and the Medical Council of New Zealand recommended that he should not be allowed to practise without "strict supervision".

'Admin hiccup'

However, before the recommendations were made, Dr Fisher returned to the UK where he was no longer registered and became a locum psychiatrist at West Cumberland.

He told his employer an "admin hiccup" had delayed his re-registration with the GMC.

Mr Webster said: "Here was a doctor with years of experience. The only fly in the ointment was that he was not registered in Britain."

On the day Mr Weighman took his overdose, he was found in a drowsy state at the hospital.

But Dr Fisher failed to recommend a relevant test and that he be observed more closely by the nightshift staff.

The trial is expected to last for up to six weeks.