Almost five years after the death of autistic teen Oliver McGowan, the General Medical Council (GMC) has announced an investigation into the doctor who prescribed an antipsychotic that an inquest ruled was a “significant factor” in his death.
Dr Monica Mohan prescribed Olanzapine to Oliver, 18, at Southmead Hospital in Bristol in 2016.
Oliver McGowan: an investigation will now take place into the doctor who prescribed an antipsychotic before his death
This was despite medical records indicating it was a drug to which Oliver had an intolerance. It triggered a reaction called neuroleptic malignant syndrome, causing fatal brain damage.
‘Ignorance and arrogance’
Avon and Somerset Police launched an ongoing enquiry into Oliver’s death.
Now, the GMC, in a letter to Oliver’s family seen by Autism Eye, has announced its own investigation into Dr Mohan.
Dr Mohan prescribed the medication against the wishes of Oliver’s parents, Paula and Tom, as well as Oliver himself.
His parents said their son died as a result of the combined “ignorance and arrogance” of the doctors treating him.
A subsequent independent Learning Disability Mortality Review (LeDeR} into the death of the teen concluded it was “potentially avoidable”.
Campaign for mandatory training
Paula McGowan spearheaded a successful campaign for health professionals to receive mandatory training in autism and learning disabilities.
The groundbreaking programme is known as The Oliver McGowan Mandatory Training in Oliver’s memory.
It sets out to train health and social care staff to provide better health and social care outcomes for autistic people and people with a learning disability.
Paula has recently been awarded an OBE for her tireless campaigning for learning disability and autism.
Oliver was a Paralympic hopeful who, as well as autism, had epilepsy, cerebral palsy and learning disability.
Related:
- Apology over probe into Oliver’s death
- NHS admits Oliver’s death avoidable
- Criminal probe into Oliver’s death
- New probe into death of Oliver McGowan
- Petition demands police train in autism
- Mum petitions for forced autism training
Published: 17 June 2021
