Overview
The complainant (Mrs C) complained that the GP Practice (the Practice)'s late diagnosis of her mother (Mrs A)'s colon cancer could have been avoided by their greater consideration of her symptoms. Mrs A died in hospital in June 2003, about a month after diagnosis, aged 76.
Specific complaints and conclusions
The complaint which has been investigated is that the Practice should have investigated more fully than they did (upheld).
Redress and recommendations
The Ombudsman recommends that the GPs in question:
- (i) apologise in writing to Mrs C, acknowledging that further investigation should have been done in mid 2002; and
- (ii) inform the Ombudsman what steps they have taken and/or are taking to learn from, and try to avoid a recurrence of, this serious case, for example, by discussing it at their general practitioner appraisals and discussing other relevant cases with the clinical governance lead of the appropriate Community Health Partnership.
The Ombudsman is pleased that the Practice have accepted the recommendations and are taking action on them.