Last updated on April 6th, 2017 at 02:02 pm

The lady had been ill with rheumatoid arthritis for some years and had tried various medication.  In 2012, she was receiving monthly infusions of tocilizumab.

GPs fail to recognise pneumonia

In April of 2012, the lady became ill.  As she was already taking medication, she was more susceptible to infection and the doctors should have been aware of this. A GP from the practice she attended diagnosed her with tonsillitis and prescribed penicillin and fluconazole.  The medication didn’t work and the lady became so ill that she couldn’t lie down as she was struggling to breath.  A second GP visited her home and, without making any examination. recommended that she take paracetamol.   The following day the woman became worse and her husband called the surgery and spoke to third GP, who prescribed further antibiotics.  The lady’s health deteriorated.  She was unable to eat anything other than a soft diet and struggled with her breathing.  Her husband contacted the surgery again in May and asked for a home visit.  He also called NHS direct, who, after asking a lot of questions, said that his wife should ‘suck a locket’.  A GP (the first one that the lady had visited) visited the lady the following day.  He carried out an examination and took blood tests.

Hospital diagnoses pneumonia

The following day the woman’s husband was so concerned about her, as she was struggling to breath, that he called an ambulance.  Paramedics attended and she was taken Nottingham University Hospital.  Further tests were carried out and the lady was transferred to the high dependency unit.  She was diagnosed with community acquired pneumonia, complicating immunosuppression for rheumatoid arthritis.  She was given medication, including IV fluids, and was put onto a ventilation machine.  At first the medication and breathing machine appeared to be working, but the hospital found that a more powerful machine was needed.

Ventilation and medication fail as health deteriorates

In June the hospital tried to wean the woman off the breathing machine, and this appeared to work at first.  However, the lady started to struggle to breath again and had to be returned to the breathing machine.  From thereon her condition deteriorated, despite appropriate treatment.  At one point the family were told that the lady’s liver had started to fail and that she had 48 hours left to live.  The lady did pull through somewhat, but then developed kidney failure and had to be put onto dialysis and further breathing machines.  By 19 June it was clear that the lady was dying and active treatment was therefore withdrawn allowing her to die with dignity on 20 June 2012.

Graysons pursues GPs for medical negligence

Graysons brought a claim against 3 GPs, pursuant to the Law Reform (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1934; and on behalf of Mrs. C’s dependents pursuant to the Fatal Accidents Act 1976. One of the GPs denied liability but we were able to negotiate a settlement with the second and third of £34,000.

The matter was clearly extremely distressing for the lady’s husband and family but we were able to offer the expertise and compassion required to ensure that they received the justice they deserved.

If you feel that you have not received the medical care you are entitled to, or if a relative has died due to negligent care, contact our experts now for a confidential discussion with lawyers who understand your situation and can advise as to whether you may be able to make a medical negligence claim.

You can also find out more about making a medical negligence claim on our web pages.