Ombudsman upholds decision not to send GP on out-of-hours call during severe weather

Winter weather stopped a GP visiting a Tayside patient suffering from painful kidney stones, an inquiry has heard.

The man felt an out-of-hours doctor should have attended his home and complained to the Scottish public services ombudsman.

The ombudsman said: “Our investigation revealed that weather conditions at that time were such that police and weather forecasters were advising motorists not to travel unless absolutely necessary and that NHS Tayside board’s 4×4 out-of-hours vehicles were having great difficulty.

“The board said that, after careful thought, they had decided not to attempt home visits unless absolutely essential.”

In the unidentified complainer’s case, his own medical practice was due to open about 30 minutes after he called the out-of-hours service and one of its doctors would have been able to get to him sooner.

The ombudsman said: “Given all the circumstances, including his medical condition, we considered the board’s decision had been appropriate.”