Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

Doctor charged over death

Monday 10 May 1993 23:02 BST
Comments

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

A DOCTOR has been charged with the manslaughter of a young woman patient. He told an inquest two years ago that he had not been able to read another GP's handwriting.

Sallyanne Camp-Richards, 30, an asthma sufferer, was given a drug for palpitations but died after taking just one tablet.

Dr Arun Sinha told the inquest two years ago that he did not know Miss Camp-Richards was asthmatic because he was unable to decipher medical notes by a fellow doctor.

He prescribed a betablocker drug that is potentially fatal to asthma sufferers. Within hours of taking the medication, Miss Camp-Richards, a sales executive, rang her boyfriend, pleading: 'Help me'.

He found her collapsed at their home in Rumney, Cardiff. Another doctor and paramedics tried to save her but she died 40 minutes later of an asthma attack triggered by the drug.

A coroner ruled there was no criminal negligence and recorded a verdict of accidental death. After a two-year investigation, police have now charged Dr Sinha with manslaughter. A spokesman for the Crown Prosecution Service said he would appear before magistrates later this month.

Miss Camp-Richards saw Dr Sinha at his practice in Ely, Cardiff, complaining of palpitations. He prescribed the Half Indural LA, often used to treat abnormal heart rhythms.

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in