Why do GP's so often mess up?
Vodka_Drinka
Posts: 28,753 Forum Member
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I've just read this story on the mail website:
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-2269605/Maddy-Pratt-Hooson-Grandmother-saw-GP-twice-week-6-MONTHS-dies-cancer-told-worry.html#addComment
I'd love to say that this is an isolated case but I personally know of many people who's GP's repeatedly missed signs of cancer and now they are dead because of it. It happened to my uncle, my neighbour, my Mums friend, a work colleagues dad. And just look at the comments underneath!
Why do they have all these adverts on the TV and Radio telling people to look out for signs of cancer, and yet when people do just that their GPs don't listen to them? It's so frightening. Even I know that constipation can be a symptom of bowel cancer! I'm stunned that it wasn't investigated sooner for this woman, especially given her age.
It doesn't give you much faith in the medial profession.
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-2269605/Maddy-Pratt-Hooson-Grandmother-saw-GP-twice-week-6-MONTHS-dies-cancer-told-worry.html#addComment
I'd love to say that this is an isolated case but I personally know of many people who's GP's repeatedly missed signs of cancer and now they are dead because of it. It happened to my uncle, my neighbour, my Mums friend, a work colleagues dad. And just look at the comments underneath!
Why do they have all these adverts on the TV and Radio telling people to look out for signs of cancer, and yet when people do just that their GPs don't listen to them? It's so frightening. Even I know that constipation can be a symptom of bowel cancer! I'm stunned that it wasn't investigated sooner for this woman, especially given her age.
It doesn't give you much faith in the medial profession.
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I stopped reading there and decided that they mess up because they are foreign GPs, who aren't as well trained as the good old Blighty docs.
I shall read the comments later and see if they agree with my statement.
Tell that to the people who've lost their loves ones due to medical negligence :mad:
There is absolutely no excuse for missing the signs of bowel cancer in this day and age!
Yes but this woman had been back and to to her GP for months with constipation and pain. Any dimwit knows that this can be a sign of bowel cancer, especially in someone over 60. There is absolutely no excuse in this case at all.
I have been having problems with my heart, and my doctor has sent me to the cardio clinic, now everything came back clear, but my doctor was fed up with me, so the next time I came to see him, 2 yrs later he refused to get things checked out
I had to write to him, with my reason why I want to se a consultant, which I did see, and we find I do have a problem, so now being watched very closesly
In the letter, I threatned to leave my gp and look for another one, thats how I felt,
I didn't say it was easy did I?:rolleyes: But I am shocked that something like bowel cancer, which is actually quite common was missed.
I can't believe people are actually defending the GP.
'Mother-of-one Laura, from Brighton, East Sussex, said she had tried to sue the NHS on her mother's behalf but was told she was not allowed because she was over 18'
Agreed, if someone keeps going back witht he same problem then it should have been identified. An electrician doesn't keep changing a fuse if it blows each week, they find the fault.
But when all is said and done, doctors are human beings!
Like most others, I thought all Drs were of the high standards we all believe they are. They're not, and I dealt with quite a few cases where I could look at peoples symptoms in hindsight, and see the Dr had got it wrong. Hospital Drs had the same issues too.
Thankfully, most were pretty good, but GPs cannot possibly have specialist knowledge of everything that goes wrong with people, nor keep up with all the latest developments.
When we need a Dr, we all hope we get someone who does the job properly.
She is no longer a minor, with a parent on whom is dependent.
A minor can sue for loss of parent but, and a legal eagle may correct me here, you can't sue on behalf of a deceased person! You can sue on behalf of the estate though but that is slightly different! I've no doubt a lawyer will read this and give a better response than I can give!
given up.
So sorry to hear this yorkiegal, but not at all surprised. I could write a book about all the misdiagnoses, poor care, and medical negligence that myself, my family and friends have suffered over the years.
Hope you get this sorted. Take care.
I feel reasonably certain anyone can sue for medical negligence if it results in the death of a relative
Unfortunately the NHS would collapse if every patient who complained of constipation was fully investigated.
There are just not the resources available to cope with demand.
You can certainly sue for negligence, but in the case of the advice given to her by the NHS I would suggest that its because those who are under 18 are minors and therefore dependent therefore they can sue in order to be awarded damages so the loss of a supporting parent isn't detrimental on a reasonably supported childhood. A child over 18 is not dependent.
Its complicated and my knowledge is insufficient!
At the end of the day, you can sue anyone for anything but you can't sue on behalf of the deceased...sue on behalf of yourself or surviving dependants yes!
Are you seriously suggesting that no human error can occur?
No I'm not. But this woman didnt just go to see her doctor once and get sent away, she went twice a week for six months. She obviously realised that there was something wrong. You know if yourself when something isn't right with your body.
I would happily. i don't think the statement 'Because they are human and fallible like the rest of us?' is controversial in any context really. are you proposing that there is some way in which we can make doctors infallible?
mistakes will happen. it's a product of the human condition.
if you are saying that the rate of mistakes is too high then that is another subject. but that there could ever be none is ridiculous.
So there is an excuse then - human error.
And if she "knew" she could have gone elsewhere to get checked.