Anger as doctor escapes striking off over drug prescribing mistakes

Dr Jane Barton was found guilty of serious professional misconduct by a Fitness to Practise Panel at the General Medical Council (GMC) after a series of failings in her care of 12 patients at the Gosport War Memorial Hospital in Hampshire between January 1996 and November 1999.

The panel found she made a catalogue of failings in her treatment of the patients, who later died, including issuing drugs which were "excessive, inappropriate and potentially hazardous".

Panel chairman Andrew Reid said: "The panel has found proved that there have been instances when Dr Barton's acts and omissions have put patients at increased risk of premature death."

But relatives left the hearing in disgust on learning that the doctor will be allowed to continue working if she abides by certain conditions.

Iain Wilson, from Gosport, whose 74-year-old father, Robert Wilson, was one of the patients, shouted at the panel: "You should hang your head in shame.

"You haven't done anything at all to protect the public."

Another of the 20 relatives present at the hearing called out: "I hope you sleep at night."

Speaking outside the GMC building, Mr Wilson, said: "She has proved beyond a shadow of a doubt that she is not to be trusted with drugs.

"People (in Gosport) cannot believe that she's not already been struck off. They cannot believe that she's been practising for the last 10 years without any proper sanctions."

Dr Barton, who did not attend the hearing, has been working as a GP in Gosport. She received almost 200 testimonials of support.