Introduction
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In March 1998 I agreed to investigate a complaint which had been referred to me on behalf of a woman whose husband had received treatment from doctors working for a general medical practitioner (GP) deputising service. Her main complaint was that the treatment provided was inadequate, though she also had more general concerns about the adequacy of the deputising service.
I have decided to publish my report on the case, to be laid before each House of Parliament in accordance with Section 14(4)(b) of the Health Service Commissioners Act 1993 (as amended). I have received a number of complaints about deputising services and this case provides an example of my approach to them. In law, GPs are generally responsible for the acts and omissions of doctors acting as their deputies, and must satisfy themselves that deputising services are adequate. However, deputising services themselves cannot wash their hands of responsibility for the actions of the doctors they allocate.
As provided under section 15 of the Health Service Commissioners Act 1993, I am drawing this report and other concerns about one of the deputising doctors to the attention of the General Medical Council.
A summary of this case is provided. Subsequent pages contain the full text of my investigation report; but the names of the complainant, her husband and the doctors have been removed in order to preserve confidentiality.
March 1999
M S BUCKLEY
Health Service Commissioner for England
