Decision Report 201403171

Summary

Mrs C's late husband (Mr C) was receiving treatment for prostate cancer. His condition deteriorated and Mrs C complained that GPs at the practice failed to take into account concerns that the medication to treat the cancer was the cause of the problems and that Mr C had a history of severe allergic reactions. Mrs C said that the GPs did not listen to her concerns and that Mr C rapidly deteriorated and died following a heart attack caused by an allergic reaction to the medication. She said that she and her husband were not warned about the possible side effects of the medication, and that staff failed to take reasonable action to resolve matters.

We took independent advice from one of our medical advisers. We found that the care and treatment provided to Mr C was reasonable, and that the practice took Mr C's symptoms into account and acted appropriately in addressing his concerns about his medication. We also found that Mr C had suffered an acute heart attack and there was no indication to suggest that this was imminent. As such, his condition could not have been anticipated.