Investigation Report 200602824

  • Report no:
    200602824
  • Date:
    February 2008
  • Body:
    Highland NHS Board
  • Sector:
    Health

Overview

The complainant (Mr C) raised some concerns that he was treated inappropriately by a consultant (Clinician 1) during a consultation.  Mr C also suggested that Clinician 1's suggested treatment was inappropriate.

Specific complaints and conclusions

The complaints which have been investigated are that:

  • (a) the conduct of Clinician 1 during the consultation was inappropriate (not upheld); and
  • (b) the treatment suggested by Clinician 1 was inappropriate (not upheld).

Redress and recommendations

The Ombudsman recommends that the Board:

  • (i) apologise to Mr C for Clinician 1's failure to clarify the significance of lifestyle rather than sexuality when taking a history from Mr C during the consultation; and
  • (ii) ensure Mr C's medical records are amended, where possible, to remove the term 'homosexuality' where it refers to a medical condition, including the GP records, as this is inappropriate.

The Board have accepted the recommendations and will act on them accordingly.

Updated: December 11, 2018