British doctor accused of behaviour "tantamount to euthanasia" cleared

Jul 12 2007

A British doctor who was accused of actions "tantamount to euthanasia" with regard to the deaths of two premature babies has been cleared of any misconduct.

Consultant neonatolgist Michael Munro appeared before the General Medical Council (GMC) in the UK over accusations that his decision to give 23 times the standard amount of a muscle relaxant to two terminally ill infants was inappropriate.

Dr. Munro, 41, had admitted administering the drugs at Aberdeen Maternity Hospital to hasten the deaths of two dying babies - he gave them injections of a paralysing drug.

The parents of the babies were aware of what he was doing, and that it would relieve their suffering but also understood it could also hasten their deaths and they gave their consent.

Both babies died at the Aberdeen unit in 2005 seven months apart.

Dr. Munro told the panel the babies had suffered violent spasms during the last moments of their lives, a condition, known as agonal gasping, which was "horrendous to witness" and he felt the babies were suffering.

After speaking to both parents and with their explicit consent, he administered 2,000mg of the paralysing agent pancuronium allowing them to die peacefully; the drug effectively stopped their breathing.

Dr. Munro's actions were deemed by the GMC to be consistent with conduct expected of a doctor as the doctor had intended to relieve the children's suffering rather than hasten their deaths.

The panel also rejected claims that his actions fell below standard, as there were no clear specific professional guidelines.

The GMC panel chairwoman, Dr. Jacqueline Mitton criticised the doctor for poor note keeping and for misleading an investigator probing the case and said the facts found against the doctor were not so serious as to suggest his fitness to practice was impaired.

Following the hearing Dr. Munro said that he hoped the decision would mean more discussion on end of life decisions and lead to clearer professional guidance for doctors, better patient care and greater support for parents.

He also apologised to the parents of the babies involved for any distress caused by the proceedings before the GMC.