Overview
The complainant (Miss C) raised a number of concerns about her late uncle (Mr A)'s care at Ninewells Hospital (the Hospital), to which he was admitted on 20 December 2005 and where he died on 25 December 2005, aged 62.
Specific complaint and conclusion
The complaint which has been investigated is that Mr A's care in December 2005 fell below a reasonable standard (upheld).
Redress and recommendations
The Ombudsman recommends that Tayside NHS Board (the Board):
- (i) put in place a policy, protocol or guidance in relation to infective exacerbations of chronic lung disease;
- (ii) advise urgent contact from clinical staff to carers in particularly grave situations and, more generally, encourage proactive communication from clinical staff to patients and their carers;
- (iii) provide evidence of the systems in place to monitor and audit nursing records; and
- (iv) provide evidence of the main improvements which they have made in the standard of care as part of their 'safer patient' initiatives.
The Board have accepted the recommendations and will act on them accordingly.