Dedicated doctor died after injecting drug that killed Michael Jackson

A Bournemouth inquest heard yesterday how vascular surgeon Dr Nicholas Phillips, 32, had been depressed following a decision by Southampton General Hospital Trust to settle a negligence claim out of court.

In a statement, his father Gordon Phillips, from Lymington, said: “Nick was named, among others, in a negligence claim and was looking forward to his day in court. The Trust settled out of court; he felt let down and unsupported. He was a kind, caring doctor. I had no knowledge he was using drugs to help him sleep, or for any other reason.”

Det Sgt Andy Roberts told the hearing how Dr Phillips, who also worked at Dorset County Hospital in Dorchester and Poole Hospital, had been found dead in his flat in Bourne Close, Bournemouth.

Police officers forced entry on Christmas Eve last year after Dr Phillips' girlfriend Kirsten Tointon, who had noticed needle marks on his body, raised concerns for his welfare.

They discovered the surgeon's lifeless body in his bedroom, with cannulas in both ankles. Dr Phillips was dressed in his medical scrubs and drug paraphernalia, including needles and the powerful anaesthetic drug Propofol, were recovered from the property.

A blood test showed that Dr Phillips had injected himself with a lethal quantity of the drug. Expert witness Professor Robert Sneyd said Propofol had “profound effects,” adding: “It should only be used by a skilled clinician; self-administration is very risky.”

Detectives checked medicine management procedures at Southampton, Poole and Dorset County Hospitals. DS Roberts said: “It was quite clear all procedures were in place to ensure there was no risk to the public. During operating theatre times cabinets were left open; Dr Phillips would have had legitimate access to Propofol.”

Deputy coroner Brendan Allen recorded an accidental death verdict, adding: “Dr Phillips was well respected and loved; his death is a real tragedy.”