Trust incorrectly diagnosed woman with schizophrenia

What happened

Ms G's GP referred her to the Trust having suffered symptoms of depression. The GP noted in the referral that he felt Ms G was becoming increasingly agitated and detached from reality.

A psychiatrist at the Trust saw Ms G and found that she met the criteria of a major depressive episode. He noted that she had recently given in her notice at work. The plan was for her to continue with antidepressant medication, and see her community psychiatric nurse (CPN) once a week. The psychiatrist at the Trust also saw Ms G a number of times on an emergency basis. He recorded that Ms G was suffering from delusional thoughts. In addition to her antidepressant medication, he prescribed Ms G an antipsychotic drug.

Between spring and summer 2000, Ms G was admitted to hospital twice after taking an overdose. She was noted as having a diagnosis of major depression with psychotic symptoms. Her discharge letter stated paranoid schizophrenia. On the second occasion Ms G was given depot, an antipsychotic medication. The Trust carried out a review in mid–summer 2000 and noted that Ms G had no evidence of psychotic symptoms. Another review also found that she was doing well and had no significant symptoms of a psychotic disorder. Over the following years, Ms G continued with antipsychotic depot and oral medications and was seen regularly by her CPN. She was also regularly reviewed by junior psychiatrists at the Trust. She remained well and was eventually taken off all medication in 2011.

Ms G complained to the Trust in 2012 about a number of issues. However, she felt that the Trust did not deal with her complaint appropriately and so she brought it to us.

What we found

We thoroughly examined the medical records and could find no basis for the diagnosis Ms G was given. We felt that she should have had a different, slightly less serious diagnosis.

We did not believe that the medication she was given was inappropriate and neither could we conclude that the side effects from this caused her inability to work.

However, we found that she suffered an injustice from the impact the incorrect diagnosis had on her. Such a diagnosis may have led Ms G to perceive herself as more unwell than she actually was, which could have disempowered her, leading her to live a more restricted life than she otherwise might.

Putting it right

The Trust acknowledged and apologised for the misdiagnosis and the effect that this had on Ms G. It also paid her £7,500 in recognition of the injustice she suffered.