Decision Report 201810592

Summary

Ms C had a hysterectomy (surgical removal of the uterus) a number of years ago and recently accessed the records held by the hospital that performed it. She noted a report had been prepared post-surgery with advice to be followed in the event Ms C sought Hormone Replacement Therapy in the future. Ms C complained that this report was not sent to her former GP. We found that it was not possible to state the report was not sent to Ms C's former GP. Therefore, we did not uphold this complaint.

Ms C also complained about a failure to maintain an adequate record of when the hysterectomy report was sent to Ms C's former GP. We found that the procedure in place for the transfer and recording of information was standard practice at the time in question. We noted that since that time, the board's method of sending and recording this information had changed to an electronic method, and this removed the uncertainty around the transfer of information which had previously existed. Therefore, we did not uphold this complaint.

Ms C also complained about a failure to offer a follow-up appointment after her hysterectomy. We found that the decision not to arrange a follow-up appointment following surgery was standard practice at the board and that this was reasonable based on the surgery undertaken. We did not uphold this complaint.