Coroner warns of easy drug access after vet death

Veterinary surgeons can easily access potentially lethal drugs, the coroner said (stock image)

The death of a "highly regarded" young veterinary surgeon has prompted a coroner to warn about the easy access to dangerous drugs in the profession.

An inquest found John Ellis, 35, took his own life after self-administering a toxic quantity of drugs he told his former employers would be used to euthanise a large dog.

Assistant coroner for Hampshire Simon Burge said there were not "adequate controls" in place to prevent the mis-use of such substances.

He has called on the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons to take action.

In a prevention of further deaths report, Mr Burge said Mr Ellis was given the drugs by his former employers "without any checks" and "without scrutiny".

He said: "He was allowed to walk out of the veterinary surgery unaccompanied, with the drug, which he then used to take his own life."

Mr Ellis died after administering the drugs on 6 November 2022.

"Veterinary surgeons, such as the deceased, are able to easily access potentially lethal drugs without any adequate controls being put in place to prevent their mis-use", Mr Burge said.

The coroner said Mr Ellis had been "experiencing difficulties in some of his personal relationships, as well as financial worries, and considerable stress having recently changed jobs".

The BBC has contacted the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons for comment.

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