GP BOUGHT CANNABIS FOR CANCER PATIENT

A GP bought cannabis from a patient to help another who was dying of
cancer, a General Medical Council tribunal heard yesterday.

Dr David Thornton, a junior partner at a surgery in Bolsover, Derbyshire,
admitted twice supplying the drug.

He did so after treating a 56-year-old woman for lymphoma. She had been
receiving chemotherapy and radiotherapy treatment but stopped them when she
was told her cancer was terminal.

Believing that cannabis might alleviate her pain, Dr Thornton contacted
another of his patients, a known drug user, and twice bought some from him.
He gave the drug to the cancer victim via her sister.

The woman died shortly afterwards, allegedly after Dr Thornton gave her a
large injection of diamorphine.

The GP, who qualified in 1987, admits the cannabis allegation but denies
giving the woman a large or excessive dose of diamorphine. He denies
serious professional misconduct.

The hearing continues.