GPs failed to consider deep vein thrombosis

What happened

Two GPs visited Mr E at home on consecutive days. Mr E had been suffering pain in one of his legs for several weeks and had not left his chair for two weeks. He died from a pulmonary embolism (a blood clot in one of the arteries in his lungs), following a deep vein thrombosis, (a blood clot in a vein) on the day after the last GP visit.

What we found

Both GPs failed to adequately assess Mr E or provide or arrange the further investigations and treatment that he needed. We found there was a strong probability that, even if the failings had not happened, Mr E would still have died. However, Mrs E will never know whether her husband would have survived if the failings had not occurred.

Putting it right

The GPs have already put in place measures to demonstrate that they have learnt from the complaint. They have taken action to make sure that the same situation does not happen again.

The GPs apologised for their failings and paid Mrs E compensation of £2,000.