Summary
Mrs C complained on behalf of her mother (Mrs A). Mrs A had been diagnosed late with Hodgkin lymphoma (a type of cancer of the lymphatic system, a network of vessels and glands throughout the body). Mrs C believed that the practice had failed to spot clear symptoms of the disease over an extended period.
We took independent advice from a medical adviser who is a GP. The adviser reviewed Mrs A's medical records in detail. They noted that some of the tests Mrs C believed should have been performed could only be requested by a specialist following review in hospital. The adviser stated that Mrs A had not presented with typical symptoms of Hodgkin lymphoma and her existing medical conditions had made her diagnosis more complex. Mrs A had not met the criteria for referral under Scottish cancer referral guidelines and had been referred urgently for investigation by the practice on several occasions.
We found that the practice had provided a reasonable standard of care and treatment to Mrs A. We found there was no evidence that symptoms of Hodgkin lymphoma had been overlooked, or that referrals should have been made sooner.
Related reading
View Decision Report 201501734 as a PDF (11.18 KB) Updated: March 13, 2018