We came acropper once with a positive preg test and it turned out to be
an ectopic and again the patient had not called for the result.
As a result of the complaint which was dropped incidentally we
instituted the following.
We have large signs in the waiting room and in the nurses romm stating
inlarge letters that it is the patints responsibility to call for their
results.
We also tell them when to expect a result.
this obviously does not prevent us proactively seeking out sick patients
with vastly abnormal results but does limit legal problems.
Gillian
In article <006501bd38a1$e5edd0e0$f8035cc3@default>, Dr M Trowell
<[log in to unmask]> writes
>I wonder if any of our legal eagles would like to comment on the recent ruling
>in the high court in favour of GP reported in GP magazine.
>
>I gather the women put a urine sample in to her GP which showed she was
>pregnant. She claimed that she rang several times for the result and was fobbed
>off. The practice did not contact her with the result. After 4 months she
>found out that she was pregnant, by which time it was too late to have a
>termination. She sued her GP. At the High Court the Judge said that as she was
>a sensible, intelligent women, she should have contacted the practice to find
>the result out and that it was not the responsibility of the GP to contact her.
>
>My understanding was that we were obliged to contact patients. Any comments
>gratefully received, but if this stands it would considerably reduce our
>reception workload.
>
>
>
>Dr GM Trowell
>Highbridge Medical Centre
>Highbridge
>Somerset TA9 3YA
>01278 783220
>
>[log in to unmask] this bit
>
>Highbridge - a cemetery with lights
>
>[ A MIME text / x-vcard part was included here. ]
>
--
Dr Gillian Braunold
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