UK psychiatrist failed to conduct risk assessments for teenager who died

August 21, 2017

The Medical Practitioners Tribunal Service found that Dr. Valerie Murphy failed to carry out risk assessments for a teenager with epilepsy who drowned in a bath in July 2013 at an NHS care unit.  She admitted to a total of 30 failings but denied misconduct.

The tribunal also found that Dr. Murphy failed to explain the risks and side effects of taking the drug risperidone and psychotropic drugs more generally.

The Medical Practitioners Tribunal Service will reconvene in November to consider whether Dr Murphy's fitness to practise is impaired.

SOURCE: "Connor Sparrowhawk: No risk assesments before teen's death," BBC, 19 Aug 2017, http://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-oxfordshire-40981037.