AN inquest into the deaths of three patients of Dr Howard Martin heard that serious concerns had been raised about the GP years before they died.

Complaints about Dr Howard Martin included an allegation that he used diamorphine to help people to die and a specific concern about one patient’s death.

The claims were disclosed yesterday during an inquest into the deaths of Frank Moss, Harry Gittins and Stanley Weldon.

Dr Martin was acquitted of murdering all three in 2003 and 2004 with drugs overdoses while practising in County Durham, after a trial in December 2005.

Dr Ian Ruffet, head of the primary care support unit with County Durham and Darlington Health Authority, met the doctor after issues were raised in 2000.

In June of that year, a range of concerns had come to his attention from “a reliable source”, though he could not recall who it was.

It was alleged that Dr Martin may have used diamorphine to help people die and that he made morphine prescriptions for bogus patients.

Other concerns raised were that out-of-date drugs were being used by the practice and out-of-date vaccines were being sent abroad.

Following a meeting with the doctor, other medical professionals and fraud police, no evidence was found for further action but a file on Dr Martin remained open.

A palliative care consultant, who is expected to give evidence this week, raised concerns about high levels of opiate drugs used to treat a patient who subsequently died.

Later, a third complaint was received from a social worker that Dr Martin had not followed proper child protection procedures.

Dr Ruffet again met Dr Martin and a representative from the local medical committee which represents the county’s GPs.

Dr Ruffet described Dr Martin as a very traditional GP who felt his management of terminal care had served him well for 40 years and was “justified and effective”.

The doctor had agreed to undergo professional development training to update his practice, although apparently he delayed starting it.

Dr Ruffet said that a decade ago the health authority had limited powers to monitor and try to amend professional practice.

He said: “We had identified concerns and we offered as much support as we possibly could at that time.”

Dr Hilton Dixon, director of clinical quality at NHS County Durham, said systems have changed since the deaths.

These include an automatic computer alert for doctors prescribing high strength drugs and sharing of information between all health bodies.

The inquest continues.