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 | | Friday, 10 May, 2002, 14:10 GMT 15:10 UK Shipman inquiry hears from coroner  Harold Shipman is serving 15 life sentences The coroner who held inquests for the elderly patients of serial killer GP Harold Shipman has been giving evidence to the inquiry into the deaths. South Manchester coroner John Pollard appeared before the hearing in Manchester on Friday. He said that if concerns had been raised with him over the suspicious death of one of Dr Shipman's patients, then he would have ordered a post-mortem examination several months before the doctor's arrest in September 1998. But he claimed he was not alerted - and another three elderly patients died before Shipman was arrested. Doctor's concerns Earlier this week the inquiry heard that one of Dr Shipman's colleagues, Dr Linda Reynolds, registered her concerns with the coroner six months before the doctor was arrested. Dr Reynolds is now dead but her husband, Nigel, told the inquiry that she believed Dr Shipman was killing his patients. There was one death she was particularly concerned about, and her family said she contacted Mr Pollard to express her fears. However the coroner has told the inquiry that he was never told about this patient.
Dr Reynolds, 48, worked at the Brooke Surgery in Hyde, Greater Manchester, close to Shipman's surgery. Doctors at the Brooke Surgery would sign death and cremation certificates for Shipman. Dr Reynolds, who died from cancer in March 2000, grew concerned about Shipman soon after moving to the area. She reported her suspicions but the police decided there was insufficient evidence to proceed with an investigation at that time. Second phase As a family doctor in Hyde, Greater Manchester, Shipman murdered 15 of his women patients and is now serving a life sentence in prison. The inquiry into the convicted serial killer has entered its second phase, with chairwoman Dame Janet Smith allowing broadcasters access to proceedings for the first time since it began. It is investigating why the preliminary police inquiry found insufficient evidence to proceed against the GP. The inquiry began in June 2001 and may last up to two years. | |
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