TOTAL negligence from NHS caused Massive distress and anxiety

[PrettyPaula]

my fiance went for a routine heart check up a few months ago as his grandfather had been diagnosed with a heart condition

he went for an ECG at his GP surgery and then a week or so later got a letter asking him to return, at which point he went back to the GP who told him there was something wrong, he had a heart abnormality and must have further tests and attend for a further appointment with a cardiologist.

understandably at 24 years old he was horrified terrified and very upset by this news. The doctor mentioned a VERY serious disease to him which he then researched online to find it is a huge killer of men in their twenties. He was also told this would explain his panic attacks that were diagnosed a year ago.

He went for a scan of his heart and then returned to hospital today. He waited an hour and a half after his appointment time, to be told by the doctor that his scan was clear, the ECG was abnormal but normal for him... he was given a copy of this ECG for future reference and sent on his way.

He tonight has had an answer machine message from the cardiology consultant to say he should disregard the ECG as it wasnt even his results, he has had perfect ECGs every time and there was NEVER an issue.

He is livid and also concerned for whoever the person is who's results he has been given until now.

He has lost time off of work, had a huge argument with his manager regarding time off to attend hospital, we have paid travel and parking expenses, i have taken time off of work to go with him and he has undergone a great deal of stress and worry about this.

what can we do?

[poppynurse]

I think a face to face meeting with the consultant is in order so that the situation can be clarified. There must have been something on the ECG the GP did to cause concern leading to the hospital referral, it may be something trivial (GPs are not experts at interpretation). Ring the consultants secretary to arrange an appointment, or put your concerns in writing to the consultant and copy to PALS and the medical director (contact details should be on the hospital trust website).

[crazyadi]

Originally Posted by PrettyPaula

what can we do?

you mean can you sue the Hospital/GP for your stress and anxiety!

of course you can,

or you can breath a sigh of relief and thank your lucky stars everything is ok!

accept that negligence is or should be something that is pursued because of an intentional act or gross omission, wrong notes, results etc happen there is millions of people using the nhs, probably half of them trying to work out how to sue them. but i digress, mistakes will happen its human nature in your case everything is fine and as for the 'owner' of the ECG im sure if they worked out its not your partners they have worked out who it belongs to! so dont worry about it!

be grateful that the NHS was there for you to potentially pick up the problem in the first place, but in your case you have had some great news so enjoy it!

oh and i cant think of any cardiac abnormality that would show on an ecg that would explain panic attacks! so if it was the same gp who told you there was an issue with the original ecg, then i would consider getting a new one!