Complaint against GP

[kalms]

Do I have ground to complain about a GP? He visited my dad in the care home and telephoned me to ask if we wanted dad admitted to hospital or not. He also mentioned diamorphene (to help him on his way I presume?!) dad was in a terrible state, dehydrated and clearly suffering because of the dehydration.. We are appalled that hospital admission was a choice. Surely no one should be denied hospital treatment and left because they cannot speak up for themselves due to dementia. How many vulnerable people in a similar position would have been left to die if no one to be their advocate?! We got dad into hospital, he was put on a drip to hydrate and is now comfortable. 2 weeks later!

[francypants]

If I was going to complain about anything, it would be the care home for letting your dad get into such a dehydrated state in the first place. Dehydration doesn't happen overnight.

[Daven]

Do I have ground to complain about a GP? He visited my dad in the care home and telephoned me to ask if we wanted dad admitted to hospital or not. He also mentioned diamorphene (to help him on his way I presume?!) dad was in a terrible state, dehydrated and clearly suffering because of the dehydration.. We are appalled that hospital admission was a choice. Surely no one should be denied hospital treatment and left because they cannot speak up for themselves due to dementia. How many vulnerable people in a similar position would have been left to die if no one to be their advocate?! We got dad into hospital, he was put on a drip to hydrate and is now comfortable. 2 weeks later!

 

Sometimes you have to look at the broader picture and ask yourself whether you want to put a loved one through more pain and discomfort.

The hospital will have treated the problem well and stabilised your Dads condition but at the risk of causing him more distress being in a strange environment and running the risk of him catching all manner of infections from other patients there.

My lovely Mum is in the latter stages of dementia and I certainly would prefer her to stay in the place where she is familiar and with those she knows. Had I been asked by her GP the same questions you were I would have opted for keeping her comfortable. We were recently told by her GP that there was a suspicion of a malignancy following a blood test but we chose for her symptoms to be treated rather than a host of aggressive and invasive tests to be done at the hospital. We would have had a diagnosis by now but for what end since she is not strong enough to endure and survive aggressive treatment of any kind.

I understand that every case is different but for me I would have commended the GP for his compassion and admired his courage to ask you if you wanted aggressive intervention. Hospital admission IS a choice.

Please think very hard about complaining about the GP- he probably had your relatives best interest very much at heart.

Regards

Edited February 25, 2015 by Daven