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LETTERS: Gerald Freshwater Dame Janet's disappointments: Shipman case is a stick to beat the medical profession with BMJ 2006; 332: 1274-b-1275-b [Full text]

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Shipman was not 'simply' a murderer who happened to be a doctor

Mark Davies   (30 May 2006)

Shipman fallout: Being a doctor shouldn't disguise being a killer

Dan Holmes   (1 June 2006)

Shipman was not 'simply' a murderer who happened to be a doctor 30 May 2006
Mark Davies, Senior Lecturer in Law University of Sussex, BN1 9SN Send response to journal: Re: Shipman was not 'simply' a murderer who happened to be a doctor	The “Yorkshire Ripper” could have chosen virtually any make, model or type of vehicle and still committed his crimes. He could probably have offended in a similar manner without the use of a vehicle. Similarly, had he had a different occupation, his criminal behaviour could have continued more or less unchanged. In contrast, it is inconceivable that had Harold Shipman been a member of virtually any other professional or occupation group he could have offended in the way he did and escaped detection for so long. His status as a doctor was central to his criminal behaviour. Those within the medical profession who continue to insist that Shipman was ‘simply’ a serial killer who happened to be a doctor reinforce the view that the obligations accompanying the privilege of professional self- regulation have been lost on some within the profession. Competing interests: None declared
Shipman fallout: Being a doctor shouldn't disguise being a killer 1 June 2006
Dan Holmes, Anaesthetic SHO Queen Margaret Hospital, Dunfermline Ky12 0SU Send response to journal: Re: Shipman fallout: Being a doctor shouldn't disguise being a killer	While Dr Freshwater has some compelling arguements regarding Dame Janet Smith's recommendations and the relevance of revalidation as a response to Harold Shipman's crimes, his comparison with Peter Sutcliffe is unhelpful. It is an argument not uncommonly employed by those who feel the medical profession are being progressively undermined by politicians but lacks relevance. Peter Sutcliffe was not able to disguise the fact that crimes had taken place because of his job. The police were fully aware that murder had taken place and were able to set investigation in motion, culminating in arrest and conviction. Shipman was able to carry out his crimes without anyone being aware that a crime was being committed, and hence no investigation took place. Because of his job as a GP he was able to kill hundreds before suspicions were raised. Those who feel that no reform was necessary to Shipman are burying their heads in the sand. It is the nature of that reform, rather than its existence per se, which should be debated. Competing interests: None declared