Decision Report 201604349

Summary

Mr C complained that the practice had failed to act appropriately on his reported symptoms of imbalance. Mr C has diabetes and related diabetic neuropathy (nerve damage). He said that over a long period he had complained to the practice of imbalance and falls but that this had always been attributed to his diabetic neuropathy. Mr C was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis (MS - a disease that effects the nervous system) and told us that he felt GPs at the practice should have picked up on this diagnosis earlier.

In investigating this complaint, we took independent GP advice. We found that Mr C had complained to the practice of imbalance on two occasions. On the first occasion, this was attributed to the existing diagnosis of diabetic neuropathy, and we found this to be reasonable. On the second occasion, six years later, Mr C was thoroughly examined and no features of concern were found. Mr C was told to return if his symptoms changed, but this was the last time he was assessed by the practice. We found that the symptoms which later led to his diagnosis of MS seven years after his initial examination were not present during the previous two appointments and that the practice had acted appropriately. Therefore, we did not uphold Mr C's complaint.