Joanne Manning
1 Nov 2013 · Coroner Nadia Persuad · London
The coroner's concerns
1. methadone use in asthma patients
“Methadone is to be used with caution in a patient suffering from asthma. In order for the prescriber of methadone to exercise all due caution, they would have to be fully informed of the patient's diagnosis and treatment by other healthcare professionals involved in the patient's care.”
2. methadone and mirtazapine combination
“Evidence was heard that methadone should be used with caution in a patient who is also receiving mirtazapine.”
3. patient intoxication impairs communication of clinical information
“The general practitioner was unable to comment on whether it would be appropriate for a patient who often attended appointments intoxicated, to inform the psychiatrist of key clinical information. It is my view that this would not be appropriate.”
4. lack of communication protocol between general practitioners and secondary care methadone providers
“Evidence was given at the Inquest that there was no procedure or policy in place to ensure clear lines of communication between general practitioners to secondary care providers of methadone. It was agreed by the general practitioner and psychiatrist that such a policy/procedure would be desirable to protect patients in the future.”
Responses
No published response was found on judiciary.uk.