A Scottish GP who wrote prescriptions for deceased patients and took the medication for himself has been allowed to return to work. Dr John Henderson, 41, appeared before the Medical Practitioners Tribunal Service (MPTS) on Tuesday, August 18, after being suspended. He had previously avoided jail after admitting fraud.
Tribunal rules fitness no longer impaired
At the private hearing, the MPTS decided that Henderson's fitness to practise was no longer impaired. The review body ruled that his suspension would be allowed to expire, permitting him to practise again.
Henderson, who held a senior position with NHS Lanarkshire, was spared prison after admitting a single charge of fraud at Hamilton Sheriff Court in June 2024. The court heard he began writing bogus prescriptions for powerful painkillers, which he later injected into his body.
Investigation uncovered pattern of prescriptions
An investigation linked the paperwork to Henderson and revealed a pattern of prescriptions for the strong painkiller Oxycodone. NHS delivery drivers later said they had been asked to make unusual collections from pharmacies on his instruction.
During a search of his home in June 2022, needles and drugs were found, and the medic was arrested. The cost to the NHS for his drug consumption was assessed at £883.02. His offending took place over seven months.
Scheme spanned multiple locations
The scheme allowed him to obtain prescription medication by fraud at clinics and chemists in Hamilton, Blantyre, East Kilbride, Uddingston, Kilsyth, Glasgow and Cambuslang. Henderson, a father-of-two now living in England, claimed he suffered from a gall bladder condition and stress from working long night shifts during the pandemic.
When sentenced, he was ordered to pay £883.02 in compensation to the NHS, perform 100 hours of unpaid work, and be under supervision for nine months. No effects on patients were reported in connection with his offending. His lawyer said Henderson has since been doing volunteer work with the Samaritans.
Sheriff Linda Nicolson told Henderson: "This is a serious matter given the position of trust. However, given all that has been said in your favour and the loss of your reputation and career, I believe a non-custodial sentence can be imposed."
NHS Lanarkshire said it had taken 'immediate action' against Henderson when his scheme came to light. Dr Chris Deighan, NHS Lanarkshire executive medical director, said: "Upon learning of the allegations against Dr Henderson, immediate action was taken to alert the relevant authorities and we cooperated fully with the investigation. We are committed to maintaining the highest levels of integrity within our workforce. Any allegation of misconduct is taken very seriously and investigated in line with our policies and procedures."
