GP who was subject of a complaint found dead

A GP who was investigated over the death of a patient has been found dead at the foot of 70 metre high cliffs on the Gower peninsula in south Wales.

The body of Dr Philip Evans, aged 52, was discovered following a search 24 hours after he was reported missing. Police said they were not treating the death as suspicious.

The Gowerton GP, who had been in practice for more than 25 years, was involved in an inquiry last year into the death of a patient, Michael Oliver, aged 33, who was diagnosed as having flu but who is understood to have died some time later in hospital of pneumonia.

Mr Oliver's family made a complaint to Iechyd Morgannwg health authority, and a confidential independent inquiry was carried out nine months ago. The results were not disclosed.

In a statement, the health authority said, “He was a well respected doctor who served his community well for many years. We have lost a singular and dedicated GP. It is truly a tragedy.”

Dr Byron Evans, chairman of Iechyd Morgannwg's local medical committee and a neighbouring GP, said, “I think that the inquiry was probably a contributory factor. He was under tremendous pressure. He was hard working, conscientious, and well respected, both in the community and by his colleagues. He was held in high esteem by everybody.”