Decision Report 201902666

Summary

Mr C complained about the care which he received from the practice when he reported urinary problems. In particular, he had attended four consultations at the practice to report his symptoms, and despite them carrying out investigations it turned out that he had suffered a prostatic abscess. By the time Mr C was admitted to hospital the abscess had grown to 4cm, and he believed that the GPs involved in his care should have noted the abscess at an earlier stage when it would not have been as large.

We took independent advice from a GP. We found that initially Mr C's symptoms were indicative of a urine infection, and when Mr C attended hospital, a subsequent diagnosis of prostatitis was made. Again, the GPs managed this appropriately. It was only when Mr C's clinical condition deteriorated that it was appropriate to refer him to hospital where the final diagnosis was made. We found no evidence of failings or delays by the treating GPs. We did not uphold the complaint.