Decision Report 201804921

Summary

Ms C complained about the care and treatment provided to her by Crosshouse Hospital both during and after her pregnancy. She felt that she was not monitored appropriately during pregnancy and that her concerns had not been taken seriously. She also raised concern that she had requested a caesarean section but this had been denied, and that planning for delivery had not been reasonable.

We took independent advice from a midwife and an obstetrician (a doctor specialising in pregnancy and childbirth). We noted that there was an inappropriate remark recorded in Ms C's records by a midwife and we made a recommendation to the board about this. We found that, whilst many aspects of the care and treatment provided to Ms C were reasonable, there was a failure to take appropriate and timely action when Ms C presented with polyhydramnios (increased fluid) and accelerated foetal growth. Therefore, we upheld this aspect of Ms C's complaint.

In relation to Ms C's concerns about post-pregnancy care, we found that this was appropriate and in line with standard practice. Therefore, we did not uphold this aspect of Ms C's complaint.

Recommendations

What we asked the organisation to do in this case:

• Apologise to Ms C for the inappropriate description in her medical records, and the failure to investigate the cause of polyhydramnios and accelerated fetal growth in a timely manner. The apology should meet the standards set out in the SPSO guidelines on apology available at www.spso.org.uk/information-leaflets

What we said should change to put things right in future:

• Notes made in medical records should be appropriate and in line with relevant nursing and midwifery standards.
• Polyhydramnios and accelerated fetal growth should be investigated in a timely manner.

We have asked the organisation to provide us with evidence that they have implemented the recommendations we have made on this case by the deadline we set.