SPSO (Scottish Public Services Ombudsman) decision

A Medical Practice in the Lanarkshire NHS Board area

Decided 1 February 2022 Reference 202103008 Outcome: Not Upheld Sector: Health Category: Clinical treatment / diagnosis

Themes assigned by this site (AI-generated): Clinical negligence harms learning, Complaint record keeping failures, GP Continuity of Care Breakdown

Full decision

Decision (the SPSO's words)

Summary

C complained about the treatment provided to their late partner (A). A had reported a number of symptoms by telephone to their practice but they had not made arrangements to see them in person and C said that, as a result, they did not receive appropriate care and treatment. A reported symptoms over a period of time. However, A began to have seizures and tests revealed that A had lesions on their brain. C believed that the practice should have acted earlier and that A's condition could have been diagnosed sooner.

We took independent advice from an adviser who is an experienced GP. We found that the practice had provided A with appropriate care and treatment based on their reported symptoms. There was no evidence that A required an earlier face-to-face appointment or that red flag symptoms were missed.

We did not uphold the complaint.

Related reading

View Decision Report 202103008 as a PDF (24.13 KB) Updated: February 16, 2022

From: SPSO (Scottish Public Services Ombudsman), decision 202103008, 1 February 2022