Decision Report 201407522

Summary

Ms C complained about the care she received when she attended A&E at Crosshouse Hospital. She also complained about the care she received from the out-of-hours service at Ayrshire Central Hospital. Ms C presented with abdominal pains and was diagnosed with a viral infection. She was prescribed painkillers and anti-sickness medication, and was then discharged. She was later diagnosed with acute appendicitis (inflammation of the appendix) and underwent surgery to have her appendix removed.

We sought independent advice from one of our advisers who specialises in emergency medicine, and one of our GP advisers. They both noted that appendicitis is difficult to diagnose as the symptoms it often presents with are similar to many other, more common, conditions. The views of the advisers were that, on both occasions, Ms C was examined thoroughly and given the correct advice and medication based on her symptoms at the time. Therefore, we did not uphold the complaint.