Another line of inquiry is to investigate how health systems perform in tackling conditions that are treatable, comparing death-rates for such illnesses among the under-75s.

ECONOMIST: How Britain��s health system compares with America��s

Caroline Swift QC, counsel to the inquiry, had earlier said Shipman, manipulated systems in order to commit murder without detection.

BBC: Shipman suspicions 'drove me mad'

She told the inquiry that, after Raychel's death, new systems were introduced which have clarified the procedure around prescribing fluids for children coming out of surgery.

BBC: Hyponatraemia inquiry: Nurses giving evidence