Investigation Report 200500828

  • Report no:
    200500828
  • Date:
    October 2006
  • Body:
    Forth Valley NHS Board
  • Sector:
    Health

Overview

The complainant raised concerns about a consultant surgeon's decision not to perform the operation which he had intended to do and about staff attitudes.

Specific complaints and conclusions

The complaints which have been investigated are that:

  • (a)  a surgeon cancelled an operation without proper cause (not upheld);
  • (b)  a hospital nurse's attitude at admission and discharge was inappropriate (no finding);
  • (c)  the Board's two replies to the complaint were insulting and inadequate (not upheld);
  • (d)  the surgeon's lack of record keeping about his decision to cancel the operation was inappropriate (upheld); and
  • (e)  some of the hospital's communication procedures were inadequate (upheld).

Redress and recommendations

The Ombudsman recommends that:

  • (i)  the surgeon review his record keeping in line with General Medical Council guidance; and
  • (ii)  the Board improve communication to staff in the hospital's Admission and Discharge Lounge.

The Board have accepted the recommendations and have taken steps to action them.

Updated: December 11, 2018