A GP failed to adequately observe, diagnose or treat two patients who later died after he "rushed" their examinations, the General Medical Council was told today.

Jane Gustafsson, 51, treated the two men as emergency patients at her surgery in Seaham, Co Durham.

Retired miner William Brettwood, 77, died three days after mistakenly being given a huge dose of morphine painkillers meant for another patient at the Seaton View Nursing Home in April 1997.

During an emergency phone call from a nurse Dr Gustafsson advised that Mr Brettwood, who was suffering chronic breathing problems, should be monitored every 30 minutes.

Dr Gustafsson admits failing to take immediate and appropriate steps to ensure Mr Brettwood's well being.

She did not immediately admit him to hospital, conduct a clinical examination of him or put herself in an appropriate position to make an adequate or accurate diagnosis, the professional conduct committee, sitting in central London was told.

Dr Gustafsson also failed to seek or act upon any adequate expert medical advice and did not arrange for provision of adequate or appropriate treatment, the committee heard.

Dr Gustafsson was acquitted of gross negligence resulting in death at Teesside Crown Court in October 1991.

In May 1997 she treated Edward Hood, 50, an insulin-dependent diabetic, as an emergency patient at the surgery.

He was staggering, had laboured breathing, his eyes were hurting and his speech was slurred, according to his mother who accompanied him on the appointment.

A nurse at the surgery said Mr Hood was off colour, appeared to be hyperventilating and that he looked like he was "panicking and sweating", said Richard Tyrrel, for the GMC.

Mr Hood died later that night from intestinal haemorrhaging and stomach erosion.

Dr Gustafsson dealt with him in a "rather hurried manner", despite being "all the more duty bound to provide a level of care" for him as an emergency patient, said Mr Tyrrel.

He added there were "striking similarities" between the two cases adding: "She took similar approaches in rushing the situation presented to her."

Dr Gustafsson admits failing to take immediate and appropriate steps to ensure Mr Brettwood's wellbeing but she denies inadequate care of Mr Hood. She denies serious professional misconduct.