At least one GP each week is accused of failing to spot the killer brain disease meningitis, according to a body which defends doctors against such complaints. The Medical Defence Union, the biggest body which indemnifies GPs against negligence claims, says meningitis cases are the biggest single cost it faces. The highest payments go to children under two who will need years of future care. In a quarter of cases handled by the MDU, meningitis was not spotted for more than 48 hours after the onset of the disease.
Patients have a much greater chance of survival if the disease is spotted and treated early.
The MDU pays millions of pounds in compensation each year as a result of negligence related to delayed diagnosis. It is vital to keep a record of the history and examination of the patient, including a note of symptoms that are absent as well as present. We know that they see a lot of people come through their surgery with very minor flu-like symptoms which really are only flu but what we are saying is that doctors should always have meningitis at the forefront of their minds when in their surgeries. The foundation is organising a conference on July 6 to educate GPs about how to spot the disease. The signs of meningitis include a very high temperature, vomiting, aversion to light and a dark red or purple rash that does not fade when the side of a glass is pressed against it.