Decision Report 201903644

Summary

Mr C complained about the treatment which he had received at A&E of Caithness General Hospital. He had initially contacted NHS 24 and arrangements were made for him to be taken to hospital. Caithness Hospital does not have an ear, nose and throat (ENT) department and Mr C said that he expected to be transferred to another hospital to see the specialists there, but instead he was discharged home. Mr C's GP made a subsequent referral to ENT at Raigmore Hospital. Mr C felt it had inappropriately been downgraded and that he was not provided with appropriate treatment for his reported symptoms.

We took independent advice from an A&E consultant and from an ENT consultant. We found that Mr C had been appropriately assessed and treated at A&E on his initial attendance, and when he was subsequently referred to the ENT department, his symptoms were appropriately assessed and reasonable investigations were carried out in an effort to reach a diagnosis. We did not uphold the complaint.