No 10: We will learn from case

The horror of the Harold Shipman affair should not "erode the bond of trust" between doctors and patients, Prime Minister Tony Blair's official spokesman said today.

Mr Blair's spokesman said: "The fact that this report today essentially confirms what everybody suspected in terms of the extent of his crimes in no way diminishes their horror and our thoughts are obviously with the families of his victims at what must be a very difficult time.

"It is important, however, to not go from the specific to the general and allow this to erode the bond of trust that exists between doctors and patients.

"I think everyone accepts that family doctors, with very, very few exceptions, do a very good job."

The spokesman stressed steps had already been taken to address some of the issues raised by the case and the further stages of the inquiry report would be studied carefully.

"The Government stands ready to look very carefully at whatever it concludes," he said.