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Case ref:201601281
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Date:February 2017
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Body:A Medical Practice in the Borders NHS Board area
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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 that GPs at the medical practice failed to diagnose cholesteatoma (an uncommon abnormal collection of skin cells inside the ear). Mrs C felt the practice had failed to do this over a number of years.
We took independent advice from a GP adviser. We found there was no evidence that Mrs C's consultations with GPs several years ago were linked to her recent consultations in terms of cholesteatoma diagnosis. We also found that the practice's management of Mrs C's case was reasonable during all consultations, and when they noted that her symptoms were not settling they arranged an urgent review with a hospital specialist. There was no evidence of a delay in the referral and we concluded that the care provided to Mrs C was to a reasonable standard given the circumstances at the time. Therefore we did not uphold Mrs C's complaint.