A GP practice reportedly missed a toddler's brain tumour SIX times.
The little girl – whose identity has not been revealed – was taken to the NHS Ayrshire and Arran GP surgery by her mum because she was vomiting.
Her parents returned her to the surgery three days later when she was still being sick and unwell. The girl was not given any further examination, but the GP wrote on her notes that should she not get any better, a paediatrician appointment should be considered.
Three months later, the toddler was again taken to the surgery, and the GP who saw her recorded that she had a viral infection and had suffered 'a few episodes of vomiting'.
Eight weeks later, the little girl was seen again, and the GP noted the 'vomiting had continued for a number of months' and that the child was sick around every two weeks.
The Ayrshire Post reports that at this consultation, the doctor prescribed medication for stomach problems.
The family again saw a doctor ten days later, their fifth consultation about the girl's vomiting. They were given more drugs and told to call the surgery to make arrangements to see a paediatrician if they did not have any effect.
Two weeks later, the girl was referred to a specialist with a 'routine' non urgent appointment, and in the interim, saw her GP again because she was still vomiting, as well as being tired and having a slow heart rate when lying down.
Her concerned mum phoned the surgery following the last appointment, to say the little girl's condition was getting worse. She was then taken to hospital where she was admitted, and diagnosed with a brain tumour which needed urgent neurosurgery.
The child's case was reported to the Scottish Public Services Ombudsman, who upheld the complaint, but issued no recommendations to the GP practice because it had since carried out 'significant event analysis'.
It was not made public whether the little girl survived the tumour or the surgery.