Patient's death not linked to medication change

What happened

Mr W had a history of high blood pressure and bipolar disorder. He took regular medication to treat his illness. When the GP saw Mr W in early 2010, his blood pressure was high and his bipolar disorder was stable. So the GP increased his blood pressure medication. When Mr W reported symptoms, he received treatment promptly. He went to hospital, where his physical illness was treated, and he was seen by mental health specialists. His condition appeared to be stable by the end of 2010. However, by summer 2012 his mental health had deteriorated. He died in autumn 2012.

Mrs W complained to the Practice about her husband's care. She believed that he had never fully recovered from his illness in 2010. She said that Mr W's GP had caused the problem by increasing his blood pressure medication in early 2010. The GP said that Mr W had been taking blood pressure medication for a long time, and there were several factors which could have caused his illness. She remained dissatisfied with the Practice's response, and complained to us.

What we found

We partly upheld this complaint. We found it was appropriate for the GP to increase Mr W's blood pressure medication. However, he should have arranged prompt blood tests to check that Mr W was not suffering a reaction to the increase. But the delay in arranging blood tests did not lead to Mr W's death.

Putting it right

The Practice acknowledged the delay in arranging blood tests following the increase in Mr W's blood pressure medication. It apologised to Mrs W for the distress she had experienced due to not knowing whether her husband could have been treated differently if it had done so.