Decision Report 201901140

Summary

C complained to us about the care and treatment their adult child (A) received from the board regarding their mental health over a one-year period. A was an in-patient for part of this time and C complained that it was inappropriate to allow A to make decisions about their care, including time out of the ward. C raised concerns about A’s diagnosis and the medication they were prescribed, as well as the level of support in place for A.

We took independent advice from a psychiatrist. We found that the care and treatment provided to A in relation to their mental health was reasonable and in line with relevant guidance. We also found that the symptoms exhibited by A were consistent with their diagnosis and that the medication put in place for A was reasonable. We did not uphold this complaint.

C also complained that the care and treatment A received regarding their physical health whilst an in-patient had been unreasonable. We found that the approach taken during A’s admission to hospital was reasonable and in line with the expected approach. The focus of clinicians was on A’s psychiatric symptoms and their physical health was treated in line with the arrangements already in place for them in the community. It was reasonable for the referral to rheumatology (specialists in rheumatism, arthritis, and other disorders of the joints, muscles, and ligaments) to be passed to A’s GP on discharge. We did not uphold this complaint.

In addition, C complained that the communication and engagement with them with regards to input into A’s care and treatment had been unreasonable. We found that the communications recorded in A’s medical notes were of an appropriate standard and well recorded. We did not uphold this complaint.