Decision Report 201908608

Summary

C brought a complaint to us about the gynaecology (medicine of the female genital tract and its disorders) care and treatment they received when they attended Ninewells Hospital. In particular, C complained that they suffered complications from the surgery they underwent and felt that a number of things had gone wrong due to incorrect procedures. C explained that they felt that they were not listened to, nor were they cared for properly or treated with dignity and respect.

We took independent advice from a consultant gynaecologist. We found that while there was some learning for the board in relation to the saving of ultrasound documentation (pictures or hard drive images) and advising C to check for coil threads, the overall care and treatment given to C was reasonable and the complications which arose in this case were recognised complications. We also found that C had been fully and appropriately consented for these. We did not uphold this aspect of C's complaint.

C also complained about the way the board handled their complaint. We found that the board have already acknowledged and apologised for failings identified and said that changes had been made to individuals' practice and to some systems. In the circumstances, while we upheld the complaint, we had no recommendations to make.