What you need to know
Short answerGPs owe patients the same legal duty of care as any other doctor. A claim succeeds if expert evidence shows the care fell below the standard of a reasonably competent GP (the Bolam test, refined by Bolitho) and that this caused avoidable injury, loss or worsening of an underlying condition.
Common types of GP negligence
- Missed or delayed cancer diagnosis — failure to use the NICE 2-week wait referral pathway for suspected breast, bowel, lung, prostate, skin or other cancers.
- Missed sepsis or meningitis — failure to recognise red-flag signs (e.g. NICE NG51) or to refer urgently.
- Misdiagnosis of heart attack, stroke or DVT — atypical presentations dismissed as anxiety, indigestion or muscle strain.
- Prescription errors — wrong drug, wrong dose, interactions, or missed contraindications.
- Failure to act on abnormal results — blood tests, imaging or smears not reviewed, filed away or not communicated.
- Failure to follow up — no safety-netting, no review when symptoms persist or worsen.
Proving GP negligence
You must show two things on the balance of probabilities: breach of duty (the care fell below what a reasonably competent GP would have provided) and causation (the breach caused or materially contributed to your injury). Both need independent expert evidence — typically a report from a GP for breach, and a relevant specialist (e.g. oncologist) for causation.
Who pays the compensation?
Since April 2019 most GPs in England are covered by the Clinical Negligence Scheme for General Practice (CNSGP), administered by NHS Resolution. Pre-2019 incidents, private GPs and Scotland/Wales/NI may be covered by a medical defence organisation (MDU, MPS, MDDUS). Either way, you sue the GP, not the patient's individual money.
Frequently asked questions
Can I sue my GP for negligence in the UK?
Yes. GPs owe their patients the same legal duty of care as any other doctor. If your GP's care fell below the standard of a reasonably competent GP (the Bolam test, refined by Bolitho) and caused you avoidable harm, you can bring a clinical negligence claim. Most GPs are indemnified by NHS Resolution or a medical defence organisation such as MDU, MPS or MDDUS.
What are the most common GP negligence claims?
Failure or delay in referring to a specialist (especially for suspected cancer under the NICE 2-week wait pathway), missed signs of sepsis or meningitis, misdiagnosis of heart attack or stroke, prescription errors, failing to act on abnormal test results, and failure to follow up on a patient.
What is the time limit for a GP negligence claim?
Generally three years from the date of negligence or from the date you knew (or should have known) that you had been harmed by substandard care — section 11 of the Limitation Act 1980. The clock works differently for children (3 years from their 18th birthday) and people who lack mental capacity (no clock runs while they lack capacity).
What evidence will I need?
Your full GP medical records, a witness statement explaining what happened and what harm it caused, and — critically — an independent medical expert report from a GP of equivalent experience saying that the care fell below an acceptable standard and caused your injury.