Susan Mary WALKER

On 13 April 2022 a patient received an abnormal electrocardiogram result report. You failed to: correctly interpret the report, urgently refer the patient to cardiology, or arrange a follow-up with the patient within two to three days to take a more detailed history, assess his symptoms, and provide any safety netting measures and advice. This put the patient at risk of significant harm. This conduct does not meet the standards required of a doctor. It risks bringing the profession into disrepute and it must not be repeated. The required standards are set out in Good medical practice and associated guidance. In particular, Good medical practice states: 6. You must provide a good standard of practice and care. If you assess, diagnose, or treat patients, you must work in partnership with them to assess their needs and priorities. The investigation or treatment you propose, provide or arrange must be based on this assessment, and on your clinical judgement about the likely effectiveness of the treatment options. 7. In providing clinical care you must: a. adequately assess a patient’s condition(s), taking account of their history, including i. symptoms ii. relevant psychological, spiritual, social, economic, and cultural factors iii. the patient’s views, needs, and values b. carry out a physical examination where necessary c. promptly provide (or arrange) suitable advice, investigation or treatment where necessary … h. refer a patient to another suitably qualified practitioner when this serves their needs.

9. You must provide safe and effective clinical care whether face to face, or through remote consultations via telephone, video link, or other online services. If you can’t provide safe and effective care though the mode of consultation you’re using, you should offer an alternative if available, or signpost to other services. Whilst these failings are not so serious as to require restriction on your registration, it is necessary in response to issue this formal warning. This warning will be published on the medical register in line with our publication and disclosure policy, which can be found at www.gmc-uk.org/disclosurepolicy.