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Selected Investigations Completed October 1997 - March 1998 > Part I, Case no. E.1462/96-97
Matters considered: GP's removal of woman without explanation or prior notice was unreasonable - inadequate reasons for removal were later given - GP improperly terminated his arrangement to provide maternity medical services
Complaint against: Two GP's in the South Essex Health Authority area
Summary of case
On 3 September 1996 Mrs X was removed from her GP's list when she was 32 weeks pregnant. She was given no prior notice nor any explanation. On 10 September, her husband complained to the Health Authority. On 4 October, the GP wrote to Mrs X saying that mutual trust had broken down. The GPs gave conflicting explanations for Mrs X's removal. One was concerned because she had missed an ante-natal appointment and wanted her child born at home. The other GP was concerned that the relationship between Mrs X and himself had broken down.
Findings
The Ombudsman found that Mrs X had not been given an opportunity to discuss with the GPs any problems they might have had with her. The Ombudsman criticised the GPs for the way they dealt with the matter and upheld the complaint. He also found that the GP improperly removed Mrs X from his list for maternity medical service in that he did not obtain her agreement or apply to the Health Authority.
Remedy
The GP apologised and agreed that the practice would take a more considered approach to the removal of patients from its list and fulfil its obligations in relation to ceasing to provide maternity medical services. Previous < Contents > Next
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