Pain relief was within guidelines

A doctor who gave his dying father pain relief in his final days did not breach professional guidelines despite an initial police inquiry, an inquest heard.

Well-known Staffordshire Councillor David Allan died at his home on December 4 after being diagnosed with terminal soft tissue cancer in August. He was 65. His son Dr Richard

Allan, a trained anaesthetist, had returned to the family home in Lara Close, Stafford, shortly before his death, an inquest at Cannock Coroners Court heard yesterday.

The court was told how Dr Allan had administered three types of pain relief and sedatives intravenously over a period of time but concerns were raised by a visiting district nurse.

He was then reported to police. Dr Allan explained he had not breached General Medical Council guidelines, the court heard. Det Sgt Simon Bowden from Staffordshire Police told the court officers had investigated thoroughly but there had been no evidence to suggest a need for criminal proceedings.

A toxicology report carried out by Dr Anne Naysmith showed normal therapeutic levels of drugs in his body, the court heard, but if any had quickend his death, it would have only been by a "matter of minutes".

Coroner Andrew Haigh recorded the verdict as a terminal cancer patient receiving pain relief. David Allan, who represented Rowley Ward from 2003 onwards, was a former Squadron Leader in a 31 year career with the RAF. His wife Violet said: "It was very difficult knowing there was going to be a police investigation but we all knew it was going to be fine. This now allows us to put a lid on it."