"Distressed at the delay"

About: General practices in Fife

(as a relative),

At the beginning of this year I contacted our GP Practice several times regarding my husband’s health and new symptoms. I asked several times for my husband to have a scan to establish if his cancer had spread. The GPs delayed sending him for a scan for months.

When my husband was in hospital with an infection, the hospital agreed a scan was merited. The cancer had indeed spread. I made a formal complaint about the GP Practice. Two months later my husband tragically died. 

It has now been seven months and I have had no response to my complaint despite numerous telephone calls to explain my distress at the delay.

I contacted the health department of the Scottish Government and was told they cannot comment on individual cases from Practices.

I am astounded that the health department is not interested in what I feel is GP incompetence.

I am devastated by the loss of my husband and the delay in addressing the complaint is adding to my distress.

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Responses

Response from Siobhan Mcilroy, Head Patient Experience, Corporate Services, NHS Fife 10 months ago
Siobhan Mcilroy
Head Patient Experience, Corporate Services,
NHS Fife
Submitted on 29/12/2023 at 09:55
Published on Care Opinion at 09:55


picture of Siobhan Mcilroy

Dear EDR

My name is Siobhan McIlroy and I am the Head of Patient Experience. NHS Fife welcomes all feedback, so thank you for taking the time to post on Care Opinion. I am sorry for the delay in you receiving a response.

I want to offer my sincere condolences on the loss of your husband. I am sorry you have not received a response to your complaint. This must be disappointing and frustrating for you at an already very difficult and sad time and I can understand this will be adding to your distress.

Are you able to email me and provide the name of your GP surgery? You can contact me at siobhan.mcilroy@nhs.scot and I am happy to give you a phone if you would prefer, just email me your detail. As Careopinion is anonymous it would be helpful if you write the name of the post "distressed at the delay" in the subject matter box.

Hope to hear from you soon.

Thank you again for sharing your story, best wishes and take care, Siobhan

  • {{helpful}} {{helpful == 1 ? "person thinks" : "people think"}} this response is helpful
Response from Siobhan Mcilroy, Head Patient Experience, Corporate Services, NHS Fife 10 months ago
Siobhan Mcilroy
Head Patient Experience, Corporate Services,
NHS Fife
Submitted on 29/12/2023 at 09:55
Published on Care Opinion at 09:55


picture of Siobhan Mcilroy

Dear EDR

My name is Siobhan McIlroy and I am the Head of Patient Experience. NHS Fife welcomes all feedback, so thank you for taking the time to post on Care Opinion. I am sorry for the delay in you receiving a response.

I want to offer my sincere condolences on the loss of your husband. I am sorry you have not received a response to your complaint. This must be disappointing and frustrating for you at an already very difficult and sad time and I can understand this will be adding to your distress.

Are you able to email me and provide the name of your GP surgery? You can contact me at siobhan.mcilroy@nhs.scot and I am happy to give you a phone if you would prefer, just email me your detail. As Careopinion is anonymous it would be helpful if you write the name of the post "distressed at the delay" in the subject matter box.

Hope to hear from you soon.

Thank you again for sharing your story, best wishes and take care, Siobhan

  • {{helpful}} {{helpful == 1 ? "person thinks" : "people think"}} this response is helpful
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