GP's actions led to death of man in late 50s

What happened

Mr B had sinusitis symptoms and made an appointment to see his GP. However, the night before the appointment Mr B had other, much more serious symptoms including stomach pain and vomiting, and feeling faint and dizzy. Mr and Mrs B went to the GP as planned and described the symptoms Mr B now had, as they were very worried. The GP examined Mr B and said he had sinusitis. The GP gave Mr B antibiotics and Mr B went home. His serious symptoms continued. Later in the day, Mrs B went out. When she came back, Mr B had died. Mrs B complained to the GP Practice that the GP had not examined her husband properly. The GP Practice tried to resolve Mrs B's complaint. However, once it was clear that Mrs B and the GP disagreed about what happened during the appointment, the Practice said there was nothing more it could do.

What we found

The GP did not examine Mr B as thoroughly as he should have done, especially in relation to his stomach pain. He did not listen to the

information about the more serious symptoms. He should have urgently sent Mr B to hospital for an operation. If that had happened, Mr B probably would not have died.

The Practice wrongly presented the GP's account of events as the outcome of its investigation into what happened. To find out what happened and to try to resolve Mrs B's complaint, the Practice should have asked for an independent view. Instead, it stopped trying to resolve Mrs B's complaint once it was clear that there was a serious and ongoing disagreement about what had happened.

Mrs B lost her husband as a result of the GP's failure to recognise a serious illness, and she suffered further distress because the Practice took the GP's account of events as definitive. The Practice effectively stopped its investigation once the conflict in accounts became clear.

'The GP heard the word "sinus" at the beginning of the consultation and did not look any further for a cause of his illness.' Mrs B

Putting it right

The Practice agreed to acknowledge the failings, apologise for their impact, and pay Mrs B £15,000 compensation. It also agreed to take action to prevent the same thing happening in future. The GP agreed to acknowledge his failings and apologise to Mrs B.