Overview
The complainant (Mrs C) raised a number of concerns regarding the treatment she received at Crosshouse Hospital, Kilmarnock (Hospital 1). She complained of the delay in diagnosing her uterine fibroids and subsequent Benign Intracranial Hypertension (BIH), as well as raising concerns regarding the side effects resulting from her treatment, and the lack of prior information relating to these. Mrs C also raised issues regarding her pain management upon admission to Hospital 1 and also the delay in issuing her discharge letter to her General Practitioner (GP).
Specific complaints and conclusions
The complaints which have been investigated are that:
- (a) Mrs C's uterine fibroids were not diagnosed within a reasonable timescale (not upheld);
- (b) the Prostap therapy caused severe side effects which were not explained in advance (not upheld);
- (c) upon admission to Hospital 1, adequate pain relief was not initially provided (not upheld);
- (d) upon discharge from Hospital 1, there was a delay in issuing the discharge letter to Mrs C's GP (not upheld); and
- (e) when the lumbar puncture was carried out at Hospital 1, the Cerebrospinal Fluid opening pressure was not taken and this led to a delay in diagnosing Mrs C's BIH (not upheld).
Redress and recommendations
The Ombudsman has no formal recommendations to make but does suggest that the Board considers making the manufacturer's patient information leaflet available to patients prior to the commencement of Prostap therapy.