Home > Publications > Selected Cases - Health >
Selected Investigations Completed April - September 1998 > Part I, Case no. E.1934/97-98
Matter considered: GP's removal of patients was unreasonable
Complaint against: A GP in the Calderdale and Kirklees Health Authority area, Yorkshire
Summary of case
Mrs P removed herself from her GP's list after making a complaint to him on behalf of her mother-in-law. In January 1997, her parents, Mr and Mrs Q, were told by the Health Authority that they were to be removed from the list of their GP, a partner at the same practice. Mr and Mrs Q had been on the GP's list for many years without difficulty. When they asked for an explanation they were told that the practice did not wish to deal with Mrs P, should Mr and Mrs Q have a complaint against the practice in the future.
Findings
The Ombudsman considered that the breakdown in the relationship between the practice and Mrs P did not necessarily mean that the GP's relationship with Mr and Mrs Q had to be ended. The GP knew nothing about the strength of the relationship between Mrs P and Mr and Mrs Q, and did not attempt to discuss the situation with Mr and Mrs Q. The Ombudsman concluded that the GP did not give adequate consideration to all relevant matters and removed the Qs unreasonably. He expressed grave concern that the practice had previously told Mrs P that she and her family would be removed if she complained. That was not in the spirit of the NHS complaints procedure, or in line with guidance from the General Medical Council.
Remedy
The GP declined to apologise and remained of the view that his decision was correct. However, he accepted that he could have informed Mr and Mrs Q in more detail of the reasons for his decision.
Previous < Contents > Next
Full text of this investigation
Back to top
|
