A GP has been faulted for not following up, for eight weeks, an abnormal test result from the blood of an elderly man who later died of stomach cancer.
"Dr C" is one of two GPs found by Health and Disability Commissioner Anthony Hill to have breached the code of patients' rights in their care of the man, aged 81 at the time.
In his no-names report, made public today, Mr Hill says slightly low haemoglobin was detected in a blood test ordered by his GP, "Dr B", in May 2011.
A pattern of similar results became established over the the next 17 months, although one result was normal; Dr B twice prescribed a course of iron supplements for mild anaemia.
In December 2013, the man transferred to Dr C, who ordered a blood test. This revealed a significantly abnormal haemoglobin level.