Mr M's GP Practice did not explain to him that it had stopped medication for his psoriasis. Mr M felt that his treatment had been undermined, and that his condition deteriorated as a result.
What happened
Mr M had a long history of psoriasis. He had a repeat prescription of medication, including a type of soothing ointment. Mr M gave his repeat prescription request to a pharmacy. When he went to collect his medication, he was told that the soothing ointment had been refused by his GP Practice. He contacted the Practice and found out his GP had denied the ointment because his prescribing history indicated use of a similar product and therefore he should have continued with that. But Mr M had not been informed of this. However, after some discussion, the practice nurse gave Mr M a prescription for the ointment.
Mr M complained that the Practice failed to tell him that it would no longer be issuing items on his prescription. He wanted an independent review of the Practice's actions.
What we found
The GP made a clinical decision not to provide medication. This was not a failing. However, Mr M should have been informed of the decision by a member of staff at the Practice, if not the GP himself. We found the poor communication represented a failing on behalf of the Practice.
Putting it right
The Practice apologised to Mr M for its poor communication.
A GP practice
East Sussex
Apology