Mills & Reeve represented Cambridgeshire Primary Care Trust at the recent inquest into the deaths of David Gray and Iris Edwards. Both patients were treated by Dr Ubani, a locum doctor from Germany who was working his first out of hours shift in this country. Dr Ubani was engaged by the PCT’s provider, Take Care Now.
On 5 February, HM Coroner William Morris returned verdicts of unlawful killing in respect of David Gray – who was given a 10 times overdose of diamorphine - and natural causes in respect of Iris Edwards. He made a number of recommendations under Rule 43 of the Coroners Rules 1984 to the Secretary of State for Health concerning guidance that should be issued to PCTs. These recommendations impact on both PCT contracts with out-of-hours (OOH) providers and PCT management of Medical Performers Lists.
A fuller Mills & Reeve briefing on the case can be accessed
here.