Decision Report 201906037

Summary

C complained about the care and treatment they received from A&E of St John's Hospital. C has a history of painful skin conditions requiring hospitalisation. C presented at A&E and was triaged by a nurse. The nurse carried out an assessment of C’s condition and discussed it with the a doctor. C was referred to the out-of-hours GP service. C said that they should have been examined by a doctor in light of their symptoms and previous history.

We took independent advice from a senior emergency nurse practitioner. We found that C’s medical history was considered and observations of their temperature, heart rate and blood oxygen were recorded. The notes did not contain details of the physical examination nor the discussion with the doctor. The out-of-hours GP that C was referred to did not refer them back to the doctor, as they could have done, if they thought the referral was not appropriate. We concluded that C had received a reasonable standard of care and treatment and did not uphold the complaint.