Decision Report 201705963

Summary

Miss C complained to us that she had attended a nurse practitioner for banding of haemorrhoids (treatment to cut off blood supply to swollen blood vessels) but that she continued to be in pain and noticed a discharge from the wound site. She was told it would take time to heal and she attended her GP who advised her that she had an infection and prescribed antibiotics. Miss C was then informed that she had developed an anal fissure (small cut or tear in the anal canal). Miss C complained that the care she received was unreasonable.

We took independent advice from a clinical nurse specialist. We found that the banding of haemorrhoids is an interventional procedure usually performed in an out-patient clinic. The procedure can be carried out by consultants or nurses who have passed a level of competency. The records indicated that Miss C's procedure was carried out without complications, that gel was applied to ease the discomfort of the procedure and that she was provided with an information leaflet. We found that some patients do experience some pain during the following week and are prescribed pain relief. This is a minor procedure and as long as the patient understands the treatment then only informed or verbal consent would be sought. There was no indication from the records that the care which was provided was unreasonable and it was noted that an anal fissure is a common side effect of the procedure. We did not uphold the complaint.