Scots doctor who wrote prescriptions for dead patients and kept medicine faces ban

Daily Record

21-07-2025

John Henderson was spared jail, but now faces a ban from practicing medicine over his actions.
A doctor who wrote prescriptions for dead patients and collected the medication for himself is facing a ban from medicine.
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John Henderson, 40, presented prescriptions in his own name as well as living and deceased patients to 17 pharmacies across Glasgow and Lanarkshire.
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Henderson, who held a senior position with NHS Lanarkshire, claimed he suffered pain from a gall bladder condition and stress from working long night shifts during the pandemic.
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He admitted a single charge of fraud at Hamilton Sheriff Court and was spared jail.
The case is to be heard by the Medical Practitioners' Tribunal Service (MPTS) next month and could see him struck off.
He currently has restrictions imposed against his registration with the General Medical Council (GMC).
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Henderson began writing bogus prescriptions for powerful painkillers that he later injected into his body.
The court was told a probe uncovered a pattern of prescriptions being made for a strong painkiller called Oxycodone.
Investigators linked the paperwork to Henderson and NHS delivery drivers later said they had been asked to make unusual collections from pharmacies on his instruction.
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In June 2022 a search of his home found needles and drugs and he was arrested. The cost to the NHS for his drug consumption was later assessed to have cost £883.02.
Sheriff Linda Nicolson ordered him to pay £883.02 in compensation to the NHS, perform 100 hours of unpaid work and be under supervision for nine months.
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The court heard no effects on patients were reported in connection with Henderson's offending.
His lawyer said Henderson, a father-of-two, now lived in England with his wife and family and had been doing volunteer work with the Samaritans.
A notice for appearance before the health watchdog said: "The tribunal will inquire into the allegation that, on 23 January 2024 at Hamilton Sheriff Court, Dr Henderson was convicted of writing prescriptions for medication in his name and patients' names, including deceased patients.
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"It is also alleged that, on various occasions between July 2021 and 21 February 2022, Dr Henderson presented the prescriptions to pharmacies, or instructed NHS staff to present them on his behalf and return the medication to him, thus obtaining the medication by fraud.
"It is further alleged that, on 14 June 2024, Dr Henderson was sentenced to pay compensation of £883.02, a community payback order with supervision for 9 months, and unpaid work/activities of 100 hours to be completed within 12 months."
NHS Lanarkshire said they had taken 'immediate action' against Henderson when his scheme came to light.