Nurse doled out pills when doctor was away

LET OFF WITH A CAUTION. . . Glynis Cottam

A practice nurse who held morning surgeries while the doctor was on holiday has been let off with a caution.

Glynis Cottam (57), saw patients and dished out drugs after being asked to help out by Dr John Gray at the Crofton Street Surgery, Oldham.

The GP gave her pre-signed blank prescriptions even though she was not qualified or registered as a prescriber.

Earlier this year, Dr Gray was struck off by the General Medical Council for allowing Cottam to act as cover for him when his partner retired.

Melanie McDonald, for the NMC, told the hearing holding surgeries was ‘far beyond’ anything Cottam was qualified to do.

She said: “During the investigation, it became apparent that the registrant was holding morning surgeries on exactly the same basis as Dr Gray.

“She was holding open morning surgeries on occasions when Dr Gray was not there or when he could not do it himself.”

The scandal only came to light when Wilfred Tam, a pharmacist in the nearby Co-op, queried a prescription on May 2, 2006, for just one blood pressure tablet.

Mr Tam told the hearing: “A lady came in with a prescription. It was signed by Dr Gray, despite the fact that I knew he was on holiday.

“The reason why I went across to the surgery was the quantity of one of the prescriptions was for one capsule.

“There was no locum doctor on duty at that point. I was told by the receptionist that the quantity should be 28.

“I was told that it was authorised by Dr Gray. I was not satisfied because it was obvious Dr Gray was not on the premises.”

Mr Tam informed his bosses at the Co-op and an investigation by the local Primary Care Trust was swiftly launched.

Investigators from Oldham PCT visited the surgery on May 5, 2006, and found 2000 blank prescriptions and blank Med 3 sickness certificates pre-signed by Dr Gray.

Cottam, of Shaw, admitted failing properly to complete written records of patient consultation undertaken between January 31 and February 6, 2006 and completing and issuing pre-signed prescriptions and medical certificates to patients on May 2.

She accepted her fitness to practice was impaired as a result and could have been struck off for misconduct.

But Chairman Mary Porter told the relieved nurse: “Your behaviour may have led to patient harm although there is no evidence patients did suffer any harm.

“You did have the tendency to give higher doses of antibiotics than appropriate but your testimonials show you to be a competent and professional practitioner.”

The caution will stay on the nurse’s record for five years.