According to the BBC, Mr Dennis Aucote, 57, died in March 2008 after suffering an allergic reaction to the drug ibuprofen. Mr Aucote’s doctor’s surgery apparently mixed up his medical notes with those of another patient, a Mr Dennis Allcote. However, Mr Aucote’s medical notes were not entirely clear as to his allergies in any case.
However, before prescribing the drug, Mr Aucote’s GP Dr Andrew Hignett failed to ask him about any allergies.
The court was told that Mr Aucote hurt his shoulder and made an appointment to see his doctor regarding his injuries. Dr Hignett is alleged to have been looking at Mr Allcote’s medical notes, not Mr Aucote’s, and prescribed ibuprofen for the injury. Mr Aucote went to a chemist, collected the drugs and took one tablet in his home before suffering a violent reaction. He died shortly afterwards.
This is a death which could have so easily been avoided. Newhall surgery should have had Mr Aucote’s notes correctly filed for him, his medical notes should have made clear his allergies and, in addition, Dr Hignett should have asked the patient whether he had any allergies. As Mr Aucote’s doctor, Dr Hignett and the surgery owed a duty to provide a certain level of care to Mr Aucote and it appears as though the surgery fell below the standards expected of it in providing assistance to Mr Aucote. It might be that close family members or parties dependant on Mr Aucote could make medical negligence claim following his death.