A visit to the doctor’s surgery is typically the starting point of a patient’s journey. On arrival, you rely on your GP to correctly assess your symptoms and take the appropriate next steps.
However, if your symptoms are dismissed and the condition turns out to be more serious, you might wonder whether your doctor did everything they could during the initial appointment.
When a GP fails to meet the standard of care that a competent doctor would provide, and that failure then causes you harm, that is considered GP negligence.
Understanding GP negligence
GP negligence happens when your doctor doesn’t meet the standard of care you’re owed as a patient. All clinical negligence cases boil down to three things:
- Duty of care
- Breach of that duty
- Whether the breach causes you harm
Not every mistake or delay is negligence, as some conditions are difficult to diagnose (especially in the early stages). However, if your doctor’s mistake directly hurts you, you might have a medical negligence claim.
What are the most common examples of doctor negligence?
GP mistakes can change your diagnosis, treatment plan, or the type of specialist you’re referred to. For example:
Misdiagnosis, missed diagnosis, and delayed diagnosis
Doctor negligence is most commonly recognised when there are issues with a patient’s diagnosis, such as a misdiagnosis, missed diagnosis, or delayed diagnosis.
One study found that 58% of diagnostic errors in general practice occur during GP consultations, often involving problems with assessing symptoms, ordering tests, or interpreting results. For patients, this can mean:
- Being reassured that symptoms are not serious
- Being treated for the wrong condition
- Needing multiple GP visits before being diagnosed
- Missing the chance for earlier and more effective treatment
Prescription errors
Prescription errors happen when your doctor writes the wrong medicine, wrong dose, wrong form, or wrong length of treatment. They also happen when your GP doesn’t review repeat prescriptions, especially if your health or other meds have changed.
It is thought that around one in 5 medication errors happens at the point of prescribing.
Giving you the wrong drug or wrong dose can cause:
- Direct harm (like prescribing something you’re allergic to)
- A clash with your other medications, for example, putting you on a medication that increases bleeding risk when you’re already on anticoagulants
Your notes should show why a medication was chosen and whether the GP checked for allergies or drug interactions.
When should your doctor refer you to a specialist?
As soon as your symptoms require a specialist’s skills, tests, or treatments that your practice can’t provide, such as:
- Worrying signs needing urgent investigation
- Symptoms not responding to treatment
- Complex conditions that need long-term care
Remember, your GP acts as a gateway to further care. You cannot typically self-refer to a specialist at a hospital within the NHS. A specialist will only see you with a referral letter from your GP. Even if you want to see a private specialist, you’re still advised to get a referral letter from your doctor.
If your doctor delays or fails to make a referral, this can lead to a delayed diagnosis.
‘Red flag’ symptoms your GP shouldn’t ignore
Red flags are serious signs that usually mean you need a quick referral.
Common examples are:
- Blood in your stool or urine
- Unexplained weight loss
- New lumps
- Ongoing severe pain
- Sudden breathlessness
If your doctor ignores these, it could delay diagnosis of cancer, major infections, like sepsis, or serious organ issues. Sudden neurological changes like weakness, seizures, vision loss, or severe new headaches also require urgent attention.
If your GP brushes them off without a good reason, that could be part of a doctor negligence claim.
What happens if your doctor doesn’t refer you when they should have?
The most common outcome of a delayed referral is a delay in diagnosis. This can mean:
- Your condition continues to develop untreated
- Treatment options become more limited
- Recovery becomes more difficult
- The overall outcome is worse than it might have been
Can a doctor mistake a serious condition for something minor?
Yes, and this is seen across many medical negligence cases. Symptoms may be attributed to less serious causes such as stress, minor infections, or a muscle strain.
While these explanations are often correct, problems can arise if more serious conditions are not properly considered. For example, chest pain may be mistaken for anxiety instead of a heart condition.
What harm can GP negligence cause?
The impact of GP negligence depends on the condition and the length of the delay in diagnosis, but can include:
- Worsening illness
- Long-term health complications
- Reduced chance of recovery
- Emotional and psychological impact
Get legal advice on GP negligence claims
If you believe you’ve experienced GP negligence, our team at Friends Legal can help you understand your situation. We’ll review your case, explain your options, and guide you through the next steps.
Contact us today to speak to a specialist medical negligence solicitor.
