Overview
The complainant (Mrs C) raised a concern about the treatment which her son (Mr A) received from a GP (the GP) from NHS Lothian Unscheduled Care Service (LUCS) on 25 April 2006. Mrs C said the GP failed to diagnose that Mr A was suffering from pneumonia which resulted in an emergency hospital admission on 26 April 2006.
Specific complaint and conclusion
The complaint which has been investigated is that the GP provided Mr A with inadequate treatment and failed to diagnose that he was suffering from pneumonia (upheld).
Redress and recommendations
The Ombudsman recommends that the Board share this report with the GP to reflect on the lessons learned in relation to the importance of chest examination in diagnosing chest disease and the difficulties of assessment of patients with communication difficulties and share the case with his appraiser at annual appraisal if he has not already done so.
The Board have accepted the recommendation and will act on it accordingly.