Decision report 201102524

Summary
Ms C complained that the board failed to take adequate care of her jewellery when she was taken to theatre at Monklands Hospital. Ms C explained that she was prepared for surgery in the ward before being taken to theatre and a nurse taped a ring on her finger. She said that just outside theatre, nursing staff noticed that she was still wearing a necklace and medal and removed them as they were not allowed in theatre. Ms C said she never saw the items again.

During our investigation of the complaint, we reviewed copies of Ms C's medical records and her complaint file, including notes of the board's investigation of her complaint and interviews with the nursing staff involved. We also reviewed the board's internal procedure for dealing with enquiries/claims and their procedures on the handling of, or checks for, jewellery. In addition, we obtained a copy of the disclaimer notice displayed in the hospital wards and a copy of the in-patient booklet which contains advice on bringing valuables into hospital.

The documentary evidence showed that the board followed their normal procedure in this case. The documentation completed at the three separate stages for Ms C's admission to theatre clearly stated that she was only wearing her wedding ring. It was, therefore, not possible to prove that Ms C was wearing the additional jewellery at the time she went to theatre and that the board failed to take adequate care of her jewellery. We did not uphold the complaint.