Overview
The complainant (Mr C) raised a number of concerns about the care and treatment which he had received from Greater Glasgow and Clyde NHS Board (the Board) since 1996 for his erectile dysfunction. Mr C was particularly concerned that he had been asking for a penile implant operation for a number of years and only in 2005 had the Board agreed to consider him for the procedure.
Specific complaints and conclusions
The complaints which have been investigated are that:
- (a) it was unreasonable for the Board to have taken nine years to agree to Mr C's request to be considered for a penile implant operation (partially upheld);
- (b) the Board failed to correctly perform a Nesbit's operation, to correct the bend in Mr C's penis, which resulted in the bend moving from the base to half way up Mr C's penis (no finding);
- (c) Mr C did not have his follow-up appointment three months after his operation, as planned, and had to contact the hospital to ask for the appointment to be arranged (partially upheld);
- (d) the Board failed to provide Mr C with appropriate care and treatment for his erectile dysfunction (not upheld); and
- (e) the Board failed in their handling of Mr C's case from the point at which he was advised that he would be considered for the penile implant operation, ie July 2005, onwards, including that Mr C was later advised by the Board that the operation was not available within the NHS in Glasgow (upheld).
Redress and recommendations
The Ombudsman recommends that the Board:
- (i) apologise to Mr C for the delay in providing his penile implant operation, for adding his name to the waiting list prematurely and not advising him of the conditions and restrictions which applied and for the delay in his follow-up appointment for the Nesbit's operation;
- (ii) take steps to ensure that, early, well documented psychiatric reports are produced in future cases of this type when requested or required; and
- (iii) take appropriate steps to ensure that, in future cases of this type, patients' names are not added to waiting lists prematurely and that they are advised of any conditions or restrictions which apply.
The Board have accepted the recommendations and will act on them accordingly.