GP Negligence Solicitors

GP negligence occurs when general practitioners provide care falling below the standard reasonably expected of competent GPs, causing patient harm. Examples include missing obvious diagnoses, not arranging appropriate tests, delaying necessary specialist referrals, prescription errors, inadequate examinations, or failing to follow up abnormal test results.

GPs are generalists expected to recognise when specialist input is needed. NICE guidance and cancer referral pathways help define the expected standard of care. A claim may be possible where decisions fell below the standard expected of a reasonably competent GP and caused harm that proper care would have prevented.

Yes, if your GP negligently delayed cancer diagnosis by missing red flag symptoms, not making urgent referrals, or failing to investigate appropriately. GPs should recognise cancer warning signs and refer urgently under two-week wait pathways when indicated. However, not all delayed cancer diagnoses are negligent if symptoms were vague or non-specific.

Claims require proving earlier diagnosis would have improved prognosis or reduced treatment extent. Expert oncology evidence establishes whether diagnosis delay affected survival chances or treatment requirements. GP expert evidence establishes whether your GP’s management fell below acceptable standards.

Red flag symptoms are warning signs indicating serious conditions requiring urgent investigation or referral. For cancer, red flags include unexplained weight loss, persistent pain, lumps, blood in urine or stools, or persistent cough. Each body system has specific red flags requiring particular actions.

NICE (National Institute for Health and Care Excellence) guidelines and specialty-specific protocols define red flags and required GP responses. GPs who miss or ignore red flags without good reason fall below acceptable standards. However, patients don’t always present with classic symptoms and GPs aren’t expected to diagnose every condition immediately.

Prescription error claims arise when GPs prescribe wrong drugs, incorrect doses, medications contraindicated by allergies or other conditions, or drugs with dangerous interactions. GPs should check drug allergies, consider interactions, prescribe appropriate doses, and monitor for side effects.

Common prescription errors include prescribing drugs patients are allergic to, failing to reduce doses for elderly or kidney-impaired patients, or not monitoring drugs requiring regular blood tests. A claim may be possible where a prescription error fell below acceptable standards and caused harm that proper prescribing would have prevented.

GPs should refer patients to specialists when symptoms or conditions require specialist investigation or treatment. They don’t have to refer for every complaint, but should recognise when specialist input is needed. Cancer symptoms meeting two-week wait criteria require urgent specialist referrals.

GPs can’t refuse appropriate referrals to avoid costs. Patients can’t demand referrals for conditions GPs can appropriately manage. Claims arise when GPs unreasonably refused or delayed necessary referrals causing harm earlier referral would have prevented.

GPs should perform examinations appropriate to presenting symptoms. They don’t need to conduct full examinations for minor complaints, but should examine appropriately when symptoms require it. For example, chest pain requires cardiovascular examination, abdominal pain requires abdominal examination, and lumps require palpation.

A claim may be possible where diagnoses or management decisions were made without examinations a reasonable GP would have performed, leading to missed physical signs, diagnosis delays, or inappropriate treatment. Expert evidence establishes whether examination adequacy met acceptable standards.

The time to resolve a GP negligence claim depends on its complexity and the issues involved. We must obtain GP records, hospital records if relevant, and expert evidence from GPs and relevant specialists. Causation is often complex, particularly in cancer cases requiring detailed analysis of whether earlier referral would have improved outcomes.

Most claims settle once expert evidence establishes liability and causation. NHS Resolution handles claims against GP practices. Some claims proceed to court if causation is disputed. We work efficiently gathering evidence and negotiating settlement while ensuring comprehensive proof of your claim.