Decision Report 201708396

Summary

Mr C complained about the care and treatment provide to his late father (Mr A) by the practice. Mr A was referred to a cardiology consultant (a doctor who specialises in the heart and blood vessels) by his GP following complaints of breathlessness. The consultant gave the practice some guidance about future treatment, and Mr A visited the practice a number of times over the next few weeks. Some changes to his medication were made and he was again referred to cardiology. Following this, Mr A was diagnosed with pulmonary fibrosis (a rare condition causing scarring of the lungs) and he died a few weeks later. Mr C complained that the practice had not followed the guidance of the consultant.

We took independent advice from a GP adviser. We found that the practice did follow the advice of the consultant, and that the eventual diagnosis of pulmonary fibrosis could not have been foreseen during the period when the practice was responsible for Mr A's care. We did not uphold the complaint.