Highland GP mistook pancreatic cancer symptoms for diabetes, leading to treatment delay

A Highland medical practice has been ordered to apologise after failing to spot the signs of pancreatic cancer in a patient, which a doctor mistook for diabetes.

The Scottish Public Services Ombudsman (SPSO) was tasked with investigating a complaint made by C, the spouse of late patient A.

According to the SPSO report, C complained about the care and treatment provided by a unnamed Highland medical practice to patient A.

After experiencing an unexplained, steady period of weight loss, A decided to contact the practice to schedule an appointment.

A was initially diagnosed by the GP as having diabetes and was prescribed medication to combat the symptoms.

However, A’s symptoms continued over the next few months, and they even expressed concern that it could be pancreatic cancer to the GP. However, this was not followed up on immediately.

Eventually, the GP sent an urgent suspicion of cancer after blood tests revealed a change A’s liver function.

Following a CT scan, A was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer and died just six weeks later.

C complained of an “unreasonable delay” in A’s diagnosis and in referring them to another doctor.

The SPSO report stated: “We took independent advice from a GP. We found that relevant guidance was clear that A had red flag symptoms for pancreatic cancer from their initial presentation.

“From this point until the urgent suspicion of cancer referral, there were missed opportunities to recognise the significance of A’s symptoms and refer them onward for further investigation.”

C also complained that the medical practice failed to provide suitable input for A’s palliative care once the cancer was deemed terminal.

It was also revealed that the medical practice was providing consultations to A via telephone.

The SPSO concluded that face-to-face meetings may have resulted in less delay in diagnosis and a better quality of end-of-life care.

The SPSO upheld all complaints made by C against the medical practice.

The medical practice was directed to apologise to C for its various failings in treating A, including delays in treatment, an unreasonable standard of palliative care, and an overreliance on telephone consultations.

The SPSO made no further recommendations in this case.