Overview
The complainant (Mrs C) raised a number of concerns about the treatment she received for a fractured arm at her community hospital (Hospital 1), following a fall on 24 October 2006. Mrs C attended Hospital 1 from 24 October 2006 to 12 December 2006 but remained unhappy with the treatment she received and eventually referred herself to a major hospital (Hospital 2) for treatment.
Specific complaints and conclusions
The complaints which have been investigated are that:
- (a) further to Mrs C’s attendance at Hospital 1, from 25 October 2006, staff failed to arrange a follow-up x-ray (upheld); and
- (a) the management of Mrs C’s injury was inadequate (upheld).
Redress and recommendations
The Ombudsman recommends that Grampian NHS Board (the Board):
- (i) apologise to Mrs C for the failure to carry out a repeat x-ray; and
- (ii) develop a protocol for the management of patients who attend community hospitals with fractures, as suggested by the professional medical adviser.
The Board have accepted the recommendations and will act on them accordingly.