Safer management of controlled drugs: The Government’s response to the Fourth report of the Shipman Inquiry

23 December 2004
The Shipman Inquiry was set up in January 2001, following the conviction of Harold Shipman for the murder of 15 of his patients. The Inquiry was tasked with investigating the extent of Shipman’s unlawful activities, enquiring into the activities of the statutory authorities and other organisations involved, and making recommendations on the steps needed to protect patients for the future.
Five Inquiry reports have now been published. The first three addressed the extent of Shipman’s criminal activities, the 1998 investigation by the Greater Manchester Police, and death certification and the coroner system. The Fourth Report, The Regulation of Controlled Drugs in the Community, the subject of this Government response, was published on 14 July 2004 and is concerned with the systems for ensuring the safe and appropriate use of controlled drugs. The Fifth Report, Safeguarding Patients: Lessons from the Past - Proposals for the Future, addresses the arrangements for monitoring, assessing and disciplining GPs and arrangements for whistleblowing and handling complaints in the NHS.
For further information contact (External) Department of Health

Source: Department of Health

| Back to top | | Disclaimer | Privacy policy | site by (External) Torchbox | (External) Bobby AA Approved | (External)

Change Text Only Settings

Graphic version of this page