A Cowdenbeath woman was turned away from her local GP practice while experiencing a heart attack, and went on to tragically die.
The family of 73-year-old Catherine Brady say staff at Cowdenbeath Medical Practice failed to recognise her symptoms, despite her history of heart problems.
She died on August 17, 2025, after being admitted to Victoria Hospital in Kirkcaldy, and later transferred to Edinburgh Royal Infirmary.
Her son, Charles Brady, said she told staff at the medical practice that she needed help.
He said: "My mum stood at the reception window and said, 'I really need to see a doctor urgently, I’m having chest pains.
"I had a heart attack a couple of years ago and I think it’s like that now.'
"They still sent her away.
"Even basic first aid would have flagged this as an emergency."
He said his mother described chest pain, radiating arm pain, and back discomfort—classic symptoms of a heart attack.
Despite this, she was told she had to phone the practice for a same-day appointment.
His father drove his mum to Victoria Hospital in Kirkcaldy, where doctors confirmed she was having a heart attack. Charles said they were "disgusted" at what the practice had done. Sadly, Catherine's condition worsened and she later died.
Charles believes the incident highlights a failure in emergency protocols at the practice.
He said: "They told me every single staff member was trained to look for trigger words—but then they couldn’t prove it.
"The investigation was rubbish—I ended up leading them with questions."
The Kelty man, who works as a regional facilities manager in the care sector, said the surgery failed to provide evidence of proper training for front-desk staff in recognising emergency presentations.
He said the family is now considering taking their complaint to the Scottish Public Services Ombudsman (SPSO).
He believes there have been other, similar incidents in recent years and claims a neighbour was told to get herself to hospital after presenting with chest and arm pain at the same surgery.
The Fife Health and Social Care Partnership has said the practice would be "learning" from the outcome of an investigation.
A spokesman said: "Although we do not comment on individual cases for reasons of confidentiality, we take all concerns raised seriously.
"Our primary care team has worked closely with the practice, which has fully investigated the concerns raised.
"The investigation has now concluded and learning from that has been incorporated by the practice.
"If anyone remains dissatisfied with the response they have received they have the option of contacting the Scottish Public Services Ombudsman."
The partnership did not provide details of what changes, if any, were made to training and escalation procedures following the incident.
After the sad passing of their mother, Charles' sister Linda posted on Facebook, venting her frustration at the situation, and she was met with several replies suggesting this has happened on numerous occasions.
Charles said: "The NHS works to an open and honest and candid policy.
"If this has been ongoing for years, training hasn’t been tested and knowledge hasn’t been checked.
"My mum deserved better—and so does everyone who turns up at their GP with urgent symptoms."
He urged others to act quickly if they experience chest pain or other emergency symptoms, rather than attending your GP's practice.
He said: "If you need urgent care, don’t assume your GP surgery will act immediately—go straight to hospital or dial 999."
The family is currently gathering documents, timelines and correspondence related to the case for further review by authorities.
They have also called for clearer public signage at surgeries to ensure that emergencies are identified and escalated immediately by staff.
"Our family was everything to mum, it was her whole world," Charles said.
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