Trust failed to update GP details which led to wrong prescription

What happened

Mr F's father, Mr H, had been taking a certain medication for several years. When the GP increased his dose Mr H started to feel drowsy and lethargic, and had to go to hospital. Mr F complained that the medication was inappropriate, had been prescribed for too long, and the dose should not have been increased.

What we found

We partly upheld this complaint. The long term use of the medication was appropriate. However, because the Trust failed to update the new GP details when Mr H changed GPs, the new GP never received the letter from the Trust's doctor asking for the medication to be reduced. The medication should not have been increased.

As a result, Mr H became lethargic and sedated for several weeks, which caused his Family unnecessary distress. The Trust failed to respond to Mr F's complaint that it had sent the letter to the wrong GP.

Putting it right

The Trust apologised to Mr F for its failings and for the impactthishad on him and his family. It also explained how it intended to make sure that up–to–date GP details were recorded in the future.

Organisation(s) we investigated