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Expert GP takes close look at patients' medical records

15/11/2001

EXPERT GP Dr John Grenville has given detailed evidence about a number of suspicious deaths being looked at by the inquiry this week.

Dr Grenville was the prosecution's expert in general practice in the investigation and trial of Harold Shipman.

He also gave evidence in the series of inquests of former Shipman patients held by coroner John Pollard at Tameside Magistrates Court.

Dr Grenville has studied the general practice medical records of almost 200 of Shipman's deceased patients and the associated witness statements.

The first case he gave evidence on was that of Charlotte Bennison, aged 89, who died at her home in Rowbotham Street, Gee Cross in January 1997.

Shipman had given the cause of death as a stroke. But after looking at her medical history, and discovering her friend John Bent was with her shortly before Shipman's visit and noticed no sign of any health problems, Dr Grenville said that couldn't have been the case.

"It is theoretically possible that Mrs Bennison suffered a stroke, causing a right-sided weakness, between the time that Mr Bent left her and the time that Shipman arrived," said Dr Grenville.

He added: "In my opinion this would be a coincidence which stretched the bounds of credibility beyond its limits.

"I conclude that the medical aspects of the evidence surrounding the death of Mrs Bennison virtually rule out the cause of death as cerebrovascular accident, as certified by Shipman."