A LOCUM doctor in East Lancashire who ‘over-prescribed’ anti-anxiety medication to 16 patients has been struck off by a medical watchdog.

Dr Peter Gregson even dished out diazepam to a pregnant woman without explaining the risks associated with the tablets, the Medical Practitioners Tribunal Service was told.

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The GP also inappropriately handed out lorazepam to a heroin user without checking on the patient’s mental state or arrange follow-up appointments with counsellors or substance abuse workers, a misconduct panel heard.

Dr Gregson was brought before the medical tribunal after a complaint was lodged by the clinical lead GP for East Lancashire about the treatment of a patient in August 2014.

An investigation into his general performance was undertaken after a similar letter was received from the Aintree Park Group practice on Merseyside, regarding concerns over a patient from July 2013.

An expert witness, giving evidence to the hearing, said that although the risks of prescribing diazepam in the early stages of pregnancy were low, Dr Gregson should have discussed the risks with the patient in question.

The expert was also critical of the doctor handing out a benzodiazepine drug to a heroin user, as they were ‘often misused’ by regular addicts, and there were mortality risks associated with their consumption.

Dr Gregson, in correspondence, insisted he was unfamiliar with practice computer systems, had difficulties as a locum and had his own views on benzodiazepine prescriptions.

Panel chairman Dr Bernard Herdan said there was evidence the doctor’s note keeping was ‘poor’ and his consultations very brief.

Ordering that he be struck off, Dr Herdan said the panel accepted the expert’s view that the GP’s overall standard of care was ‘seriously below’ that of a reasonably competent GP.

“Dr Gregson has failed to keep up with modern medical practice,” he added.