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Case ref:201100796
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Date:December 2011
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Body:A Medical Practice, Greater Glasgow and Clyde NHS Board
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Sector:Health
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Outcome:Not upheld, no recommendations
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Subject:clinical treatment; diagnosis
Summary
Mrs C complained about the actions of a GP who attended her father (Mr A) at home. She was unhappy that the GP did not arrange for Mr A to be admitted to hospital, despite having low blood pressure; not eating or drinking; and not thinking straight. Mr A had told the GP he did not want to go to hospital.
Mr A was seen at home the following day by an out-of-hours doctor who arranged for him to be admitted. Mr A died in hospital less than two weeks later. Mrs C felt that the GP who first attended should have ignored Mr A’s wishes, and arranged for him to be admitted. She felt that the delay had contributed to her father’s death.
Our investigation established that the GP had recommended that Mr A should go to hospital, but he had refused this, and was competent to do so. We also found that the GP had carried out an appropriate examination and that although she spent some time with Mr A, she could not persuade him to agree to admission.