A NORTH-EAST GP failed to observe adequately, diagnose or treat two patients who later died after she "rushed" their examinations, the General Medical Council (GMC) heard yesterday.

Jane Gustafsson, 51, treated the two men as emergency patients at her surgery in Seaham, County 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 admit him to hospital immediately, 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.

She 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.

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.

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

She admitted failing to take immediate and appropriate action to ensure Mr Brettwood's safety, but added: "If I had any doubts about his safety I would have acted differently."

She said Mr Hood was "very distressed and distraught" and appeared to be hyperventilating when she saw him.

Mr Hood did not appear excessively clammy or sweaty and there was no abdominal pain.

She checked his pulse and believed that further investigation would be undertaken at his routine appointment the next day.

The hearing was adjourned until today.