Two North Essex GPs have been criticised by the Health Service Ombudsman for the treatment of a woman with a breast lump.

The Ombudsman investigates complaints about the NHS when a local one has failed to satisfy the complainant.

In the first case Ombudsman Michael Buckley criticised a GP for inadequately assessing a woman's breast lump in 1996 and failing to refer her for further examination.

The GP, the partner of her own doctor, told her there was no cause for concern about the lump.

But after a routine mammogram a year later the lump was found to be malignant.

It was found the GP had not carried out a full examination and failed to refer the woman to a breast cancer surgeon for a mammography.

The GP apologised and agreed to monitor how he dealt with women with breast disease and make sure it was the same as local guidelines.

The second complaint took place when the woman complained about the 1996 consultation and another one, and was told no records were available of either.

She was not happy with the explanations given for this by the practice on behalf of her own GP.

The Ombudsman suggested it was not possible to find out precisely why no records could be found, but it was suggested serious failings in the making or safe keeping of records.

He also found that the practice's written response to the woman's complaint was not detailed enough.

Mr Buckley recommended the practice audit its record-keeping and provide more detail in complaint letters.

The woman's own GP apologised and agreed to the recommendations. The practice has also introduced a new computer system.

A spokeswoman from North Essex Health Authority: "We cannot give out any information about the GPs. We are aware of the situation, and are liasing with the surgery and understand changes have been put in place."

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