Overview
The complainant raised a number of concerns about the care and treatment of his late sister (Miss C) by Greater Glasgow and Clyde NHS Board (the Board). In particular he complained that Miss C had an operation to fuse her ankle joint which left her in considerable pain when it would have been clinically more appropriate to have amputated the foot; and also that on her final admission on 25 July 2005 to hospital she had been inappropriately admitted to orthopaedics which delayed diagnosis of the septicaemia which caused her death on 6 August 2005.
Specific complaints and conclusions
The complaints which have been investigated are that:
- (a) doctors did not take the clinically appropriate step to remove Miss C's foot from the ankle (not upheld); and
- (b) Miss C was inappropriately admitted to an orthopaedic ward rather than a medical ward (partially upheld).
Redress and recommendations
The Ombudsman recommends that the Board review their procedures for ensuring an overall treatment plan with ongoing input from all the relevant specialisms where a patient has a number of underlying medical problems.
The Board have accepted the recommendation and will act on it accordingly.