Harold Shipman Inquiry
An investigation into issues surrounding the case of mass murderer Harold Shipman
Terms of Reference:
a. After receiving the existing evidence and hearing such further evidence as necessary, to consider the extent of Harold Shipman's unlawful activities.
b. To enquire into the actions of the statutory bodies, authorities, other organisations and responsible individuals concerned in the procedures and investigations which followed the deaths of those of Harold Shipman's patients who died in unlawful or suspicious circumstances.
c. By reference to the case of Harold Shipman to enquire into the performance of the functions of those statutory bodies, authorities, other organisations and individuals with responsibility for monitoring primary care provision and the use of controlled drugs; and
d. following those enquiries, to recommend what steps, if any, should be taken to protect patients in the future, and to report its findings to the Secretary of State for the Home Department and to the Secretary of State for Health.
Chair: Dame Janet Smith DBE
Investigative office: Caroline Swift QC, Christopher Melton QC, Anthony Mazzag, Michael Jones
Dates:
Establishment: September 2000
Hearings: February 2001
Reports: Six reports
19th July 2002 Death disguised- considered how many patients Shipman killed, the means employed and the means by which the killings took place
14th July 2003 The police investigation of March 1998- examined the conduct of the police investigation into Shipman that took place in March 1998 and failed to uncover his crimes.
14th July 2003 Death certification and the investigation of deaths by coroners- considered the present system for death and cremation certification and for the investigation of deaths by coroners, together with the conduct of those who had operated those systems in the aftermath of the deaths of Shipman's victims. Recommendations for change made based on the findings.
15th July 2004 The regulation of controlled drugs in the community- considered the systems for the management and regulation of controlled drugs, together with the conduct of those who operated those systems. Recommendations for change made based upon the findings.
9th December 2004 Safeguarding patients: Lessons from the past- proposals for the future- considered the handling of complaints against GPs, the raising of concerns about GPs, GMC procedures and its proposal for revalidation of doctors. Recommendations for change made based upon the findings.
27th January 2005 Shipman: the final report- considered how many patients Shipman killed during his career as a junior doctor at Pontefract General Infirmary between 1970 and 1974; also considered a small number of cases from Shipman's time in Hyde, which the Inquiry became aware of after the publication of the First Report; also considered the claims by a former inmate at HMP Preston regarding alleged claims by Shipman about the number of patients he had killed.
Link to download reports:
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