GP Negligence Solicitors

Our GP negligence specialists are here to help

Negligence claims against doctors

We believe any medical professionals, including doctors and general practitioners (GPs), who act negligently towards a patient should be held accountable. We understand the effects this sort of negligence can have on individuals and their families, and will work closely with anyone who needs our help to bring a GP negligence claim.

GP negligence claims compensation

We help patients who have suffered at the hands of doctor negligence claim the compensation they deserve, and obtain some level of closure. People and their families should be able to trust the medical professionals who help them and not be subjected to GP negligence.

For many patients, a GP acts as an inquisitor, a detective, a counsellor and a guide. They are used to seeing dozens of patients in person during their working day, and have to be constantly alert.

What is GP negligence?

GP negligence occurs when a doctor (GP) makes errors and fails to meet the professional standard of care, resulting in a patient suffering avoidable harm.
Common examples of GP negligence include:

• Misdiagnosis or delayed diagnosis such as failing to identify an illness an illness, misinterpreting symptoms, or not ordering the necessary tests to reach a timely and correct diagnosis.
• Failure to refer to a specialist – GPs might be negligent if they fail to refer a patient to a specialist or for further testing when symptoms suggest a more serious condition, such as a heart attack or cancer.
• Prescribing the wrong medication or the wrong dosage of a medication. Prescribing the wrong medication or dosage or failing to account for a patient’s allergies or existing prescriptions are common typed of GP negligence.
• Failure to act on test results. Not adequately reviewing and acting upon abnormal test or investigation results, or failing to inform the patient of these results, is a common form of GP negligence. This often leads to delays in referrals to specialists.
• Poor communication or lack of informed consent. This is where a GP fails to inform a patient about the benefits, risks, and alternatives of a treatment or medication, and therefore preventing them from making an informed decision.
• Failure to monitor/follow up: Not adequately monitoring a patient’s progress or arrange follow-up appointments after a diagnosis or treatment can lead to a worsening condition and is a common example of GP negligence.
• Missed Red Flag Symptoms: Dismissing symptoms that are recognised as potential warnings for serious conditions like cancer or sepsis or failing to act upon them.

When are GP referrals necessary?

Simply put, a referral is necessary when the guidelines say so (more often or not produced by NICE). So for example, a patient over 40 years old with abdominal pain and weight loss should lead to a referral to a consultant within two weeks. If not, the GP may have a case to answer. GPs must set out a clear plan with each of their patients. Are further tests necessary, if so why, and what will those tests consist of? A GP must then follow up those tests with further review and advice.  GPs are responsible for the acts and omissions when dealing directly with patients but, as they often run a surgery in partnership with others, they also have responsibility for the proper functioning of systems in place.   Therefore, a failure to provide a follow-up letter or to arrange a test may lead to a GP being found liable for negligence in litigation. 

Since the pandemic my GP has been difficult to get hold of. Am I at risk of negligent treatment?

Now that telephone and virtual consultations have become a normal way to see your GP, there is a real danger that a full examination of presenting conditions will not be made. In turn this may mean GPs start to miss ‘red flags’ for various conditions and fail to provide a service for those with more complex conditions.