Decision Report 201705433

Summary

Ms C, who works for an advocacy and support agency, complained on behalf of her client (Ms A) about the care and treatment Ms A received at the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh. Ms A had painful and uncomfortable symptoms in her throat and neck, which affected her breathing and swallowing. After investigations were carried out, Ms A was told that no physical cause was found to explain these symptoms. Ms A was referred to psychiatry and she was diagnosed with somatoform disorder (a syndrome where someone has recurring physical symptoms thought to be caused by psychological or emotional factors). Ms A complained that following this diagnosis, she was not given treatment for her physical symptoms.

We took independent advice from a consultant psychiatrist. We found that Ms A's psychiatry assessment was comprehensive and she was diagnosed with somatoform disorder with the appropriate input of various medical specialists. We also found that a reasonable decision was made not to investigate Ms A's physical symptoms any further, as that can be harmful for someone with somatoform disorder. We did not uphold Ms C's complaint.