Decision report 201101309

Summary
Mr C complained to the practice that his late partner (Ms C) had attended there on numerous occasions between November 2010 and March 2011 with respiratory problems. The practice referred Ms C to hospital for x-ray and to the spirometry clinic (where tests for lung conditions are carried out). Ms C was admitted to hospital in early March 2011 where cancer was diagnosed and she died later that month. Mr C's complaint was that there had been a delay in his partner's diagnosis.

Our investigation found that doctors from the practice had taken Ms C's symptoms seriously and arranged appropriate investigations and hospital referrals in an effort to establish a diagnosis. Independent medical advice that we took concluded that the early differential diagnosis of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease was reasonable and that there was no evidence of any 'red flag' symptoms which would have pointed to cancer as a likely diagnosis.

Our clinical adviser also examined the x-ray image which was taken in January 2011 and found that it was appropriately reported as normal. We, therefore, were satisfied that the care and treatment provided to Ms C by the doctors was reasonable.