EING a GP is a challenging role and they are required to have an understanding of a wide range of medical conditions and find time to keep up with the latest medical thinking. In the 10- minute window they have to see you, they are expected to assess complicated and competing symptoms in patients who may have a number of illnesses.
Despite this GPs continue to be forced to work longer hours for more patients and with fewer support staff. With such a short time to make a diagnosis, hospital and specialist referral errors and omissions can be made. This means that they can miss opportunities to refer patients for the specialist help they need. It can leave patients with worsening symptoms or more serious illnesses or injuries.
All these factors can lead to patients missing out on vital and sometimes lifesaving specialist medical care because referrals are not made or are delayed. Some of the main conditions that can go without a timely referral include:
Spine and back pain, numbness in legs and problems going to the toilet can require an urgent MRI scan for potential spinal cord conditions.
Spinal cord injuries can result in permanent paralysis, reduced mobility and patients often needing high levels of care and equipment, aids and adaptations.
Chest pain, shortness of breath, indigestiontype symptoms. A failure to refer for heart tests ( ECG) can result in heart attack and/ or a heart condition requiring surgery.
Delays in diagnosis can leave patients with permanent cardiac damage with potential reduced life expectancy.
Consequences of delay in treatment of these conditions can cause significant symptoms, loss of limbs, organs or premature death.
Non- treatment of symptoms linked to kidney and urological issues, such as persistent urinary tract infections, can lead to permanent chronic symptoms, kidney damage and even the loss of a kidney. Even seemingly minor issues linked to foot and limb problems can have just as serious consequences.
In the most serious cases a failure to refer a patient to hospital and specialist care can have devastating consequences. The patient may end up needing further medical treatment, specialist rehabilitation, changes to their home or car, specialist care, income support and help with emotional distress.
The Serious Injury Helpline, a service provided by Birchall Blackburn Law, was set up to help patients affected by clinical negligence get the right support. There will be physical and emotional difficulties to overcome for the person affected and their family, which financial support can help with.
Even if a person is not interested in making a civil claim, the Serious Injury Helpline can provide guidance about getting answers, an apology and making an official complaint about the medical treatment or medical professionals involved so that it does not happen again to other people. If you need more information, confidential advice or help in the aftermath of clinical negligence contact the clinical negligence specialists at The Serious Injury Helpline on 0800 230 0573.