Chronology

1946

On 14 January, Harold Fredrick Shipman was born in Nottingham.

1965

Shipman began medical studies at Leeds University Medical School.

1966

Shipman married Primrose May Oxtoby.

1970

Shipman received provisional registration with the General Medical Council and became a Pre-Registration House Officer (surgery) at Pontefract General Infirmary.

1971

Shipman became a Pre-Registration House Officer (medicine) at Pontefract General Infirmary.

1974

Shipman became an Assistant General Practitioner and then a General Practitioner Principal at Todmorden Group Practice in the Abraham Ormerod Medical Centre in Todmorden, on the Lancashire-West Yorkshire border.

1975

It was discovered that large quantities of controlled drugs were being prescribed by Shipman. Shipman underwent treatment at The Retreat, a psychiatric centre in York, from early October to late December.

1976

Shipman was convicted at Halifax Magistrates Court of dishonestly obtaining drugs, forgery of National Health Service prescriptions and unlawful possession of pethidine. He was fined on each charge and ordered to pay compensation to the Family Practitioner Committee. During this year Shipman worked as a Clinical Medical Officer in South West Durham.

1977

Shipman joined Donneybrook House Group Practice in Hyde, Cheshire, as a General Practitioner.

1992

Shipman moved to The Surgery, 21 Market Street, Hyde and set up as a single-handed General Practitioner.

1998

In March, a local General Practitioner reported concerns to the Coroner about the excess number of deaths among Shipman's patients.

In September, Shipman was arrested by Greater Manchester Police.

2000

On 31 January, the jury at Preston Crown Court returned guilty verdicts against Shipman on 15 counts of murder and one of forgery of a will.

On 1 February, Rt Hon Alan Milburn MP, the Secretary of State for Health, announced an Inquiry into the case under Section 2 of the National Health Service Act 1977.

In March, the Terms of Reference were published for the Independent Inquiry under the Chairmanship of Lord Laming of Tewin. It was to sit in private but its report would be made public.

A group of relatives and friends of known or suspected victims of Shipman, plus several media groups, applied to the High Court for judicial review of the Secretary of State's decision. In July, those applications succeeded and the Laming Inquiry was disbanded.

In September, the Secretary of State for Health announced that a Public Inquiry would be held under the Tribunals of Inquiry (Evidence) Act 1921.

In December, Dame Janet Smith DBE, a High Court judge, was invited to become Chairman of the Inquiry.

2001

On 23 January, the House of Commons debated the proposed Inquiry, which was ratified by both Houses of Parliament. The Inquiry warrant was issued.

On 10 May, Dame Janet Smith held a Public Meeting in the Great Hall, Manchester Town Hall, at which she outlined the conduct and timetable of the Public Hearings.

On 20 June, the Public Hearings began into Phase 1.

2002

On 7 May, the Public Hearings began into Phase 2, Stage 1. They completed on 17 July.

On 19 July, the First Report of the Inquiry was published.

Public hearings into Stage 2 of Phase 2 began on 7 October.

2003

On 27 January, the Public Hearings into Phase 2, Stage 2 ended.

On 19 May, the Public Hearings began into Phase 2, Stage 3.

On 14 July, the Second and Third Reports of the Inquiry were published.

Public Hearings into Stage 3 of Phase 2 completed on 18 July.

Public Hearings into Stage 4 of Phase 2 began on 14 July and completed on 18 December.

2004

In January, a series of seminars relating to topics discussed in Stages 3 and 4 of Phase 2 were held.

On 13 January, Harold Fredrick Shipman committed suicide in Wakefield Prison.

On 15 July, the Fourth Report of the Inquiry was published.

On 9 December, the Fifth Report of the Inquiry was published.

2005

On 27 January, the Sixth and final Report of the Inquiry was published.

On 24 March, the Inquiry was officially closed.