Miss B complained about the care and treatment provided to her late sister, Miss A, by her GP Practice. The investigation considered whether the decision by Miss A’s GP not to prescribe her with antibiotics, following telephone consultations on 5 and 12 December 2022, was appropriate and whether it was appropriate for the GP to have concluded that a home visit was not necessary.
The Ombudsman found that the decision by the GP not to prescribe Miss A with antibiotics following the telephone consultations on 5 and 12 December was not appropriate and furthermore, it was also inappropriate for the GP who spoke to Miss A during the consultations to have concluded that a home visit was not necessary. This was an injustice to Miss A as her presenting symptoms should have resulted in a hospital admission and subsequently, a thorough clinical assessment.
Whilst the Ombudsman could not be certain whether Miss A’s outcome would have been any different, this uncertainty is an enduring injustice to Miss B and her family. The Ombudsman upheld the complaint.
The Ombudsman recommended that the GP Practice apologise to Miss B, ensure the case is discussed with the GP in question and remind all of its GPs about the importance of recording detailed notes on assessments and examinations carried out on each patient.