Overview
The complainant, Mrs C, complained of a lack of local care provision for her son, Mr A, from June 2004 to March 2007. Mr A is severely autistic, has learning difficulties and also suffers from epilepsy. Specifically, Mrs C complained that Mr A was seen by his Consultant (Consultant 1) in June 2004 but that there was no direct access to care offered by Forth Valley NHS Board (the Board) following this review and the departure of Consultant 1 in May 2005. Mrs C also complained that the medication prescribed for her son by Consultant 1 was inappropriate in that, if fully implemented, it would have placed Mr A at risk.
Specific complaints and conclusions
The complaints which have been investigated are that:
- (a) there was a lack of care provision for Mr A from June 2004 to March 2007; (upheld); and
- (b) medication prescribed for Mr A by Consultant 1 in June 2004 was inappropriate in that, if fully implemented, it would have placed Mr A at risk (not upheld).
Redress and recommendation
The Ombudsman recommends that the Board offer Mrs C a full and sincere apology for the shortcomings identified in this report.
The Board have accepted the recommendations and will act on them accordingly.