Decision Report 201503412

Summary

Mr C complained that the treatment provided to him for his shoulder injury was unreasonable. In particular, he said the health centre had only prescribed him pain relief, and had not arranged for him to have a scan or referred him for physiotherapy.

We found that Mr C had been assessed by a doctor several times due to his shoulder pain, and that medication for his pain had been prescribed. We took independent advice from a GP adviser on whether the treatment provided to Mr C was reasonable. The adviser noted that Mr C had indicated he had muscle pain but there were no concerns about swelling, bruising or restricted movement. The adviser explained that symptoms like these would have indicated trauma or a fracture. As Mr C did not have those symptoms, the adviser considered it was reasonable for the doctor to treat Mr C's shoulder pain with painkillers. The adviser also said that referral to a physiotherapist was not necessary because Mr C had a full range of movement in his shoulder joint. The adviser also said a scan was not necessary because Mr C did not have symptoms to suggest he had a fracture.

In light of the evidence available, we did not uphold Mr C's complaint.