GP Negligence Claims
The relationship between patient and GP
is a very important one. Your GP is often the first point of
contact when you are ill, and a GP is certainly someone you may
build a relationship with over several years. It is therefore
often more difficult for the patient to come to terms with a
situation where they have suffered due to GP negligence. Our
clinical negligence solicitors are experienced in dealing with
GP negligence claims and will be able to support you throughout
the process.
Generally speaking most General
Practitioners or GPs provide and excellent level of care. It may
therefore surprise you to learn that GP negligence is more
common than you might think.
There are various types of GP negligence
that can occur, the most serious of which would be an incorrect
diagnosis of a condition or failing to spot a serious illness.
Failure to spot a serious condition and therefore missing an
opportunity to treat a condition early can have serious
consequences.
There are also other types of GP
negligence that can occur which include the following:
-
Failure to investigate symptoms
-
Failure to refer to a specialist
-
Failure to attend on a home visit
-
Poor record keeping
-
Inappropriate prescribing of drugs
or failure to review medication
-
Failure to act on test results
Whilst most GP negligence claims are
because an ill patient has been misdiagnosed or symptoms have
not been recognised, resulting in a delay in referral and
treatment, the other GP negligence claims mentioned above are
still important, and should be recognised as such.
We do understand that claiming against
your GP can be worrying. However if your GP, has been negligent
and it has left you injured you would still be able to seek
compensation. Claiming against your GP would never prevent you
from receiving any medical treatment you required.
Your GP should identify when to refer
you for specialist treatment and when to arrange any assessment
you might need with appropriate urgency. Your GP will also
manage some conditions him or herself and provide basic general
medical treatment. You will have to put a lot of trust in you GP
and you will rely on the advice that they give you.
GP negligence cases may have devastating
effects on patients and their families, many conditions respond
well to treatment if diagnosed early enough. Swift treatment can
often mean a full recovery but many conditions if left might
result in disability or death.
It is because GP’s act as liaison
between hospitals and patients that system errors at the GP
practice can sometimes happen. This may lead to further injury
to patients because tests have not been followed up or a
referral has not been made.
It is important that you speak with an
experienced clinical negligence solicitor; our solicitors have
many years of experience in dealing with GP negligence claims
If you feel that you have suffered as a
result of negligence by your GP, contact us today for free,
friendly advice on bringing a claim. |
