Tragedy that took 36yrs to come to light

1982: Families complained about the drugs being given to patients, then again in 1989.

1991: Three nurses tried to blow the whistle on the use of diamorphine but were ignored, the panel found.

1998: Gladys Richards, who went in for rehabilitation after a hip operation, died. Her family reported concerns to police and the coroner.

2001: Three more families had gone to police and two more cases were reported to the NHS ombudsman.

2003: An audit of care concluded that “a practice of almost routine use of opiates before death” was in place during Dr Barton’s tenure.

2006: Police files in 10 deaths were submitted to the Crown Prosecution Service. It decided against charges.

April 2009: An inquest jury ruled that drugs given to five elderly people contributed to their deaths.

July 2009: General Medical Council found serious misconduct by Dr Barton, banning her from prescribing injectable opiates. She was not struck off.

December 2009: Concerns about 92 deaths were passed to police.

2010: After a review, the CPS found not enough evidence to prosecute for manslaughter in 10 key cases.

2013: A coroner found that painkillers and sedatives contributed to Gladys Richards’ death.

2014: Inquiry panel launched.