medical practitioner

The bill defines the coordinating doctor as a registered medical practitioner with "training, qualifications and experience" at a level to be specified by the Health Secretary.

A spokesperson for the trust said "from the records, we can confirm that the second signature on the form was undertaken by an appropriate registered medical practitioner".

He was a respected small town medical practitioner for many years, which may have afforded him a significant degree of protection in the workplace.

The ICB said the decision followed a "lengthy" consultation with the public, patient groups and medical practitioners, which sought the views of 1,468 people.

The bill allows medical practitioners "exercising their professional judgement to decide if, and when, it is appropriate to discuss the matter with a person".