Overview
The complainant (Mrs C) raised a concern that her late father's GP (GP 1) failed to provide reasonable care and treatment to her father (Mr A) in the two days immediately prior to his unexpected death in January 2006.
Specific complaint and conclusion
The complaint which has been investigated is that GP 1 failed to provide reasonable care and treatment to Mr A (not upheld)
Redress and recommendation
The Ombudsman has no recommendations to make.
Please note that this Report contained typographical errors in paragraph 4. It should read:
4. On 24 January 2006 the Practice received a call from one of Mr A's daughters (Mrs D) stating that Mr A was shaky and confused and requesting a home visit for him. GP 1 visited later that day after evening surgery. GP 1 made a working diagnosis of viral infection (she later noted that a flu virus was prevalent in the community at the time) and advised Mr A to increase his fluid intake and take paracetamol if needed. GP 1 later called Mrs D and repeated this advice. The following evening Mrs C called her father and was concerned when he dropped the telephone and she lost contact with him. Mrs C and Mrs D drove to Mr A's house but could not gain access and called the paramedics who broke down the door. Mr A was found in a state of collapse and was admitted to hospital by emergency ambulance at 22:30. He was in acute renal failure and treated with antibiotics and IV fluids. He suffered a cardiac arrest and died in the early hours of 26 January 2006. The primary causes of death were listed as multiple organ failure, sepsis and urinary tract infection.
The SPSO has apologised to the complainant for these errors.