Quote:
A doctor's administration of drugs hastened the deaths of two terminally ill babies and was "tantamount to euthanasia", an inquiry has heard.
Consultant neonatologist Michael Munro, 41, gave 23 times the normal dose of a muscle relaxant at Aberdeen Maternity Hospital, medical watchdogs were told.
The General Medical Council (GMC) fitness to practise panel heard the doctor failed to record his actions.
Dr Munro denies his conduct was below standard, dishonest or inappropriate.
Dr Munro was working in the neonatal unit of Aberdeen Maternity Hospital on 5 December, 2005, when a child - known only as Baby X - was born more than three months premature.
The panel heard that the child suffered a brain haemorrhage and the decision was taken to withdraw treatment after its condition worsened.
Dr Munro does not accept it was inappropriate, contrary to guidelines or below the standard expected of a medical practitioner
On 20 December, the baby's breathing tube was removed and doctors began a course of morphine to ease the child's suffering.
As Baby X became weak it began to struggle to breathe. A normal consequence of treatment withdrawal, the condition is known as agonal gasping.
Dr Munro told Baby X's parents he could give the child a drug but "it was on the verge of what society finds acceptable", the hearing was told.
Consultant neonatologist Michael Munro, 41, gave 23 times the normal dose of a muscle relaxant at Aberdeen Maternity Hospital, medical watchdogs were told.
The General Medical Council (GMC) fitness to practise panel heard the doctor failed to record his actions.
Dr Munro denies his conduct was below standard, dishonest or inappropriate.
Dr Munro was working in the neonatal unit of Aberdeen Maternity Hospital on 5 December, 2005, when a child - known only as Baby X - was born more than three months premature.
The panel heard that the child suffered a brain haemorrhage and the decision was taken to withdraw treatment after its condition worsened.
Dr Munro does not accept it was inappropriate, contrary to guidelines or below the standard expected of a medical practitioner
On 20 December, the baby's breathing tube was removed and doctors began a course of morphine to ease the child's suffering.
As Baby X became weak it began to struggle to breathe. A normal consequence of treatment withdrawal, the condition is known as agonal gasping.
Dr Munro told Baby X's parents he could give the child a drug but "it was on the verge of what society finds acceptable", the hearing was told.
Were it my child, I hope I'd have the courage to condone this