Manslaughter quiz for doctor

A doctor accused of killing a patient who was being treated for an infected bunion at a Stafford hospital appeared in court today.

Anaesthetist Dr Priya Ramnath, aged 39, spoke only to confirm her name when she appeared at Stafford Crown Court.

She is facing a charge of gross negligent manslaughter after allegedly injecting Patricia Leighton from Burntwood with a lethal dose of adrenalin against the advice of more senior medical staff at Staffordshire General Hospital in 1998.

Ramnath, a mother-of-two, left her job at the hospital and moved to the US days after the incident, but voluntarily returned to the UK last week to face the charge.

Ramnath was arrested outside the hospital where she was working in Lufkin, Texas, in November.

The case was adjourned until May 14 for either a plea and case management hearing or for the court to give directions in relation to any applications for dismissal.