Doctor who tried to help friend end his life was irresponsible, GMC ruled, UK
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Article Date: 27 Sep 2005 - 15:00 PDT
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The General Medical Council (GMC) ruled that Dr. Michael Irwin, who tried to help his friend who was terminally ill end his own life, acted irresponsibly. Dr. Irwin, 74, is a Right-to-Die campaigner - he used to be head of the Voluntary Euthanasia Society. He admitted helping his friend to commit suicide by getting sleeping pills for him. However, he says he is not guilty of professional misconduct. Dr. Irwin has received a police caution.
After ruling that he behaved unprofessionally, the GMC is now considering striking him off. Head of GMC's Fitness to Practise Panel, Prof. K Hobbs, said it was 'an act of deception' to write the prescription on in his own name rather than in the name of the patient.
Dr. Irwin said he is not bothered whether he can or can't practise medicine any more as he is too old anyway. He said he would like to see a change in legislation regarding a patient's right to die.
Dr. Irwin went to the Isle of Man, carrying with him temazepam pills to help his friend die. His friend, Mr. Keen, was dying of prostate cancer. Mr Keen went into a coma before he could take the pills, and later died.
In fact, Dr. Irwin's actions had nothing to do with the death of Mr. Keen.
Dr. Irwin admints taking to temazepam pills (he is quite open about it).
Dr. Irwin told the panel, "Whatever happens today I assure you I will continue to campaign to see a change in the law to legalise doctor assisted suicide."
Written by: Christian Nordqvist
Editor: Medical News Today
Copyright: Medical News Today
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15 Feb. 2012. <http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/31211.php>
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Support for Dr Irwin and a change in the law on doctor assisted suicide
posted by Sylvia Hilken on 4 Oct 2005 at 11:35 amI hope that - should I ever be in a position to want it badly - I could get the kind of help Dr Irwin was prepared to give a friend. I would not wish such a doctor to be judged as irresponsible by the GMC or as criminal by the law. Obviously the new law has to have a lot of safeguards built in to prevent abuse. No law is safe from being abused. The present situation allows forcing a lot of people to undergo unnecessary suffering while masquerading as a moral stance. This is particularly hypocritical in a country where officially such indiscrimate killers as nuclear weapons are considered necessary.
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